Lean Evolution: Lessons from the Workplace

by Nick Rich , Nicola Bateman , Ann Esain , Lynn Massey , Donna Samuel

• ISBN13: 9780521843447
• ISBN10: 0521843448
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-09-04
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Lean thinking is a powerful method that allows organizations to improve the productivity, efficiency, and quality of their products or services. Achieving these benefits requires good teamwork, clear communication, intelligent use of resources, and a commitment to continuous improvement. This book shows how lean thinking can be applied in practice, highlighting the key challenges and pitfalls. The authors, based at a leading centre for lean enterprise research, begin with an overview of the theory of lean thinking. They then explain the core tools and techniques and show how they can be applied successfully. The detailed implementation of lean thinking is illustrated by several case studies, from a range of industries, in which the authors had unprecedented access to the management teams. With its focus on implementation and practical solutions, this book will appeal to managers at all levels, as well as to business students and researchers in lean thinking.

Table of Contents

List of boxes	vi
List of figures	vii
List of tables	ix
Glossary	x
Introduction	1	(10)
Understanding the lean journey	11	(21)
Understanding your organisation	32	(28)
Laying the foundation stone of CANDO	60	(20)
Visual management and performance measurement	80	(15)
Problem solving, TQM and Six Sigma	95	(27)
Pull systems	122	(19)
Total productive manufacturing (TPM)	141	(22)
Sustainability	163	(22)
Group learning	185	(15)
Reflections and future challenges	200	(7)
References	207	(3)
Index	210