Lean Production Simplified, 3rd Edition

Stability ◾ 45

S1—Sort

If in doubt, throw it out.

Red-Tagging Rule of Thumb

The first principle of visual order is to sort out what you don’t need. The

workplace can get overrun with stuff: parts, work-in-process, scrap, jigs, stor-

age shelves, bins, filing cabinets, documents, desks, chairs, racks, cabinets,

phones, packaging material, tools, machinery, equipment, and so on. Some

of this stuff is needed to meet your objectives, but much of it is not. Piles of

stuff accumulate and impede the flow of work. Hassles increase, and long

lead times become chronic.

Just-in-Case Management

Many of us are pack rats. My father, for example, has three or four ancient

vacuum cleaners in his garage. His attitude is, “I’ll hold on to it—just in

case.” (You n