The Lean Anthology

215

Epilogue

In this book, through the experiences of Missy, Erika, Todd, Chloe,

David, Theron, and many other characters, we demonstrated how to

apply the principles of Lean operations management in everyday life.

After each story, we described the relevant generalizable principles,

and through brain play questions we challenged you to apply these

principles to your own personal and business- related situations. In this

manner, our goal was to help you build better judgment and decision-

making power. When you can see and recognize that something can be

better, and you are familiar with the tools that are available to improve

the situation, then you can take action.

None of the concepts presented in this book was rocket science, none

of the tools required solving a numeric equation, and none of the solu-

tions was technology based. We did not use these types of analytics.

This book is a testament to our view that Lean is common sense, vigor-

ously applied.

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Instead, we advocate the use of easy visual management

tools and a bias for simplicity. We believe that in doing so, there are

huge benefits to be gained, not only in people’s private lives but also in

their businesses.

We like to say that “operations management starts at home.” When you

use your own life and the areas over which you have direct control to

begin experimenting with the techniques in this book, you can cus-

tomize your approach on many levels and quickly build experience

and judgment. The accessible nature of aspects of your life that you

most closely control can allow you to set priorities in both funding

and sequencing—you choose how to begin and which form of muda

to tackle next. You can also use a rapid- cycle experimentation format,

testing new ideas, monitoring results, and adjusting on the fly. By prac-

ticing these approaches at home, you will quickly see an impact on

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Attributed to Larry Culp, CEO of Danaher Corporation.

216 EPILOGUE

your personal productivity. Be prepared to reinvigorate your life with

the resources and time you free up as a result of your efforts!

To start, choose the concepts that you think will help you address a

pressing problem, either at work or at home. Implement a small change

that caught your eye from the book, and observe the results. Over time,

you will become adept at recognizing waste and thinking through

which concepts might help to eliminate it. Recognizing waste is always

the first step.

We’ve assembled a short list of advice for the first- time or veteran pro-

cess improver:

• Don’t let perfect get in the way of better. Momentum is far more

important than being right.

• Stay the course if you don’t see the progress you want right away.

Don’t get discouraged. If things don’t seem to be going well, back

up and reconsider, but press on.

• Lean is the only race you lose by finishing. It’s the relentless

pursuit that matters. Your goal is not to improve; your goal is to

improve the process of improving.

• Some people equate Lean with laying people off. In most sce-

narios, people can be redeployed. This can have the dual result of

repositioning your company for growth and staffing that growth

at the same time.

• It’s the people! Your goal must be to develop your team and to

empower them to be part of the improvement process.

The key to Living Lean is learning to ask, “What’s possible?” The suc-

cessful Lean leader doesn’t need to know all the answers—but he or

she needs to be able to engage the people who do know. Empowerment,

encouragement, and enthusiasm are all important elements of a suc-

cessful Lean conversion. Lean is a balance between being able to

envision what might be possible and understanding how to apply the

concepts and techniques that can move an environment from what is

toward what might be.

You can’t do this on your own. It involves the engagement of your

friends, family, and coworkers—so share the stories, and share your own

successes. Just as Chloe said in the final story as she discussed her