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recommended reading
lean assessment
In the world of Lean, there are two books that are fundamental to understanding the basic philosophy.
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The Machine That Changed the World: The Story of Lean Production by Womack, Jones & Roos based on a study of the Toyota Production System (TPS); a system which contradicted traditional thinking about efficiency and waste. In Womack's words -
"We have now spent five years exploring the differences between mass production and Lean production in one enormous industry. We have been both insiders with access to vast amounts of proprietary information and daily contact with industry leaders, and outsiders with a broad perspective, often very critical, on existing practices. In the process we've become convinced that the principles of lean production can be applied equally across the globe and that the. conversion to Lean production will have a profound effect on human society-it will truly change the world." |
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The second book, The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement
2nd Revised Edition by Goldratt, Cox & Whitford introduces the term, Theory of Constraints (TOC). The theory hypothesizes that all real-world systems have at least one constraint; otherwise these systems would be capable of infinite throughput - which is clearly impossible. The theory contends that managing a complex system or organization can be made both simpler and more effective by providing managers with a few specific areas on which to focus. In other words, managers should maximize performance in the areas of key constraints, or "elevate" the constraint (making it less constraining). |
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by Womack & Jones focuses on the fundamental elements of Lean (Value, Value Stream, Flow, Pull, Perfection) and offers examples through case studies.
by William Dettmer is a study of Goldratt's Lean design concepts and also a very worthwhile read.