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Chapter 3
Integrating Innovation
and Lean in Practice
By virtue of the Virginia Mason Production System being our man-
agement method, we are taking innovation to the next level. Lean
encourages you to constantly think in innovative ways because you are
constantly trying to improve things. It also gives you a culture, a disci-
pline, and an infrastructure dedicated to bringing about change.
—Bob Lemon
Board Member, Virginia Mason Medical Center
e belief that lean thinking and innovation do not mix well is based on a super-
ficial understanding of both. Yet, it is common. “When we first raised the notion
of standard work, our doctors were aghast,” reca ...