LEAN MANAGEMENT
THE TOYOTA WAY

The Proven Way to Get Lean

Many operations think lean management means reducing headcount and using cheaper materials. This isn't the Toyota way. The Toyota production system focuses on improving efficiency and quality by eliminating wasteful activities.

Here’s an example from a lean manufacturing client: company data shows the maximum number of widgets a worker can use per shift is 10. Therefore, a box of widgets must always have a minimum of 10 widgets and a maximum of 30. Anyone who takes the 10th widget is responsible for replenishing the box before the end of their shift. This simple rule ensures that the box is never empty nor overflowing.

Simple, right? Tiny changes like these add up to a monumentally more efficient operation. More importantly, the process of developing solutions cultivates a collaborative mindset that makes other initiatives more successful.

It all starts with the “5S” process....