Lean management has completely changed the business world over the last 30 years. As a philosophy, it profoundly impacts the way we conceptualize, approach, and execute work. You can significantly reshape your business simply by thinking lean, even if you don’t religiously adopt the methodology.
What is lean thinking?
Lean thinking is a way of looking at processes to identify the waste they generate, then following a system to gradually eliminate it.
- At the heart of the philosophy are the values of continuous improvement and respect for people.
- Researchers James P. Womack and Daniel T. Jones created the term “lean thinking” to describe how the Toyota Production System could apply to other industries.
Group study
Lean organizations embrace a culture that emphasizes inquiry and continuous improvement
How to put it into action
The best way to get good at lean thinking is to implement its practices in your organization using one of a number of tools
- Kanban boards
- Jotform’s form templates
- Standardized work protocols
- Lean increases productivity while lowering stress
Direct Experience
Company leaders encourage the management team to observe firsthand the day-to-day activities of their employees so they can understand the issues they faced down to an ergonomic level
- This, in turn, builds better relationships between workers and their bosses, opening the door to honest discussions, feedback, and collaboration on enhancements
Constant practice
One of the primary questions lean organizations ask is “How can we make this better?”
