Efficient Business Operations Through Lean Management Techniques

Lean mind set and approaches have permeated this generation’s corporate culture. Enthusiasts could hardly believe the applicability of it: it doesn’t cause anything, it is useful to most business set-ups and has a wide applications. There are many advantages that can be gained an only a few principles to live by. With a few lean management techniques and some lean mind sets, the company is on its way to the promised continuous improvement.

The fact is, lean simply means the eradication of waste and wasteful practices. Using some lean management techniques, one gets embroiled with the task of identifying and removal of waste or Muda. Just to mention some lean management techniques, here are some: Just in Time (JIT), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Total Quality Management (TQM), Flow Charts, and 5S System of Organization.

Just like the other techniques, tools and practices, these are guided by the five lean principles, namely: Value, Value, Stream, Flow of Value-added elements, Pull Demand from the customers, and Quest for Excellence.

To go after self-development , many lean management techniques may be used yet will still need to go through this four–step course:

The initial step requires acknowledgement that wastes exist within the company in different processes that must be eradicated. Not to accept the idea that such waste exist is an indication of being out of touch and chances are those waste sources will just live with the company forever.
Once those wastes are recognized, the next thing is to identify where they are. Lean management believes that such must be cut off from the root without second thoughts. Tools like the Effect or Ishikawa Diagrams would be helpful at this point.
The third step involves looking for a solution that is based upon the principles of lean management principles. Solutions also need to be evaluated for its total impact and not only with regards the problem being solved.
The last step is the execution of the lean management techniques and ensuring that the expected results are coming as such. Thus, this step requires training, evaluation, monitoring, visibility, and follow-up. These are time consuming and need to be sustained.

To succeed, the tools must be used to find and eradicate waste sources and ensure that such will bring good to the company.