Lean Tools in Action will provide participants with an introductory understanding of Lean strategies and basic improvement methodologies within the context of a project or an organizational unit.

No matter how well designed, well-planned or well-managed, all organizational units and/or projects can be improved in one way or another. It can involve working conditions, poor resource utilization, getting ahead of competition or to better keep within the budget restraints. In organizations that already are ahead of competition, improvements can involve: increasing competitive advantages, increasing employee/team member buy-in and/or satisfaction and increasing productivity.

This course is primarily aimed at providing an understanding of:

• What lean is and what it can achieve
• The basic principles of lean
• The importance of process, continuous improvement and standardization
• What is expected of leadership and employees

The term “Lean” is short for “Lean Production” or “Lean Manufacturing” and has, over time, become more commonly used than the original expression, especially since it has been adapted by the service industries. Working with Lean is a step-by-step approach to reach a vision, a future goal, where there is no waste. Waste means anything that doesn’t add value to anybody or anything within the organization or project. Some of the most common categories of waste are:

• Overproduction
• Underutilized competence
• Waiting
• Transport
• Inventory
• Motion
• Defects
• Overprocessing