Over many years of implementing Lean with large and small organisations, I have developed these three key pillars, which I believe have enabled organisations to achieve a successful lean journey.
1. Make it simple
At the planning stage of a Lean program, we have the opportunity to make it simple, since we have the greatest control over the strategy and plan.
We need to have the recipients who will be involved in the change at the forefront of our minds.
We shouldn’t correlate simple with being ineffective.
In many cases, large organisations have circled back to simplify their lean system after realising that it has become too complicated.
Make it simple allows you to attract and engage all your people, regardless of their backgrounds, education levels, age, gender or experience.
Lean is not only for Leaders and Senior Management but for every person in your organisation.
2. Keep it practical
If we have the control to make it simple, we also have the control to keep it practical. When we create a plan to do something ensure you collaborate with those involved in the change. Don’t overcook the plan, get to a good starting point and adapt as you go.
Lean is a system that is meant to be practical, never theoretical or solely academic.
The best learning is achieved through on the job day-to-day application of concepts that we are taught.
3. Engage everyone
Lean is always meant to be inclusive and never exclusive. Lean is simply a new way of working for everyone.
The true power of lean is when we engage everyone across all areas of our organisations and allow them to contribute to the system.
You will achieve your best return on investment when everyone, from every department is engaged and empowered to contribute to that new way of working.
While this is only a snapshot of my 3 key pillars, I encourage you to further investigate how these 3 can transform your lean journey.
It never too late to make a change, regardless of if you’ve been on the journey for a long time or just starting out.