The definition of Lean

“A systematic approach to identifying and Eliminating Waste (non-value-added activities) through continuous improvement by flowing the product at the pull of the customer in pursuit of perfection.”




The five principles of Lean

1. Specify value from the standpoint of the end customer by product family.
2. Identify all the steps in the value stream for each product family, eliminating whenever possible those steps that do not create value.
3. Make the value-creating steps occur in tight sequence so the product will flow smoothly toward the customer.
4. As flow is introduced, let customers pull value from the next upstream activity.
5. As value is specified, value streams are identified, wasted steps are removed, and flow and pull are introduced, begin the process again and continue it until a state of perfection is reached in which perfect value is created with no waste.

The five elements of standard work

1.Takt time, which is the rate at which products must be made in a process to meet customer demand
2. The precise work sequence in which an operator performs tasks within Takt time
3. The standard inventory, including units in machines, required to keep the process operating smoothly
4. The cycle times required to complete work elements
5. All process quality checks required to minimize defects/errors