The approach to Lean Manufacturing should be holistic yet has a
focused practicality to deliver results. Each step is driven by the
organization's key business needs and objectives. Delivering results is
the tangible evidence that the organization is buying into and embracing
Lean. Therefore, the organization is building lasting value not short term
payback that fads as soon as the consultants leave.
But, are you
wondering why embark on a Lean initiative? Check out the inventory
turn differences between the automotive industry and the rest of US
manufacturing in this slide from the Lean
Enterprise Institute. Inventory turns are certainly only one benefit of a
Lean initiative, since we seek to ELIMINATE all waste there are many cost,
overhead, quality and material savings as well.
The practices encompassed
in a typical Lean project include many aspects of the organization and its
business processes. We show these practices as fitting into improving the three
cornerstones of Lean: culture, standards and flow:
