
40 THE LEAN ANTHOLOGY
BATCH SIZES AT THE GROCERY STORE
Single- Piece Flow
Single- piece flow is when products
are generated or created one at a
time, even if it is possible to create
products in groups or batches. It is
the opposite of batching. Sometimes
only a single item can be created at
one time, such as a portrait, when
an artist works on one canvas at a
time. Sometimes, however, single-
piece flow is a choice that is made
even when there are other options.
Lean Takeaways
By decreasing batch size and achieving
single- piece flow, working capital, work in
process, and throughput time can be simul-
taneously reduced—a primary component
of a L