The basic elements are waste
elimination, continuous one
piece workflow, standardized
work, and customer pull. When
these elements are focused in
the areas of cost, quality and
delivery, this forms the basis
for a lean production system.
The lean production concept was
to a large extent inspired by
the
Kaizen – the
Japanese strategy of
continuous improvement.
Employee empowerment and
promotion among them of a way of
thinking oriented at improving
processes, imitation of customer
relationships, fast product
development and manufacturing,
and collaboration with suppliers
are the key strategies of
leading lean companies.
The Five Ss refer to the
five dimensions of workplace
optimization: Seiri (Sort),
Seiton (Set in order), Seiso
(Shine), Seiketsu (Standardize),
and Shitsuke (Sustain)...
