Key Lean Techniques
Lean is a way of improving how work gets done by removing waste and focusing on what actually adds value for the customer. It started on Toyota's factory floor, but the same thinking is now used just as often to improve digital services, back-office processes, and IT delivery.
This article introduces the five lean techniques you will use most often when analysing or redesigning a business process: value-stream mapping, the 5S method, Kaizen, Kanban, and the PDCA cycle.
Starting Points
- Value-Stream Mapping Overview
- 5S – What is it?
- Kaizen — A Resource Guide
- Kanban – What Is it?
- Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) — A Resource Guide
Key Points
- You can draw a current-state value-stream map and use it to point out waste and delay in a process.
- You understand the difference between value-adding and non-value-adding steps in a process.
- You can apply the 5S method (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) to organise a workspace or a digital workflow.
- You can explain the Kaizen mindset of small, continuous improvement and give an example relevant to a digital service.
- You can set up a simple Kanban board to visualise and limit work in progress.
- You can run one full PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act) on a small process improvement.