The Lean Enterprise

Chapter 11

Leader Standard Work

Standard work, standardized work, and standard are three different things. The weakest situation is the standard situation, while standard work is the most satisfying situation. The difference between the three concepts is illustrated in Table 11.1.

Table 11.1   Differences between Standard, Standardized Work, and Standard Work

Standard	Standardized Work	Standard Work
Level of Satisfaction	Low	Medium	High
Meaning	Target is the expected basic condition	Do it as planned; Basis to improvement	Proactive, taking action Analysis and improvement
Function	Support standardization Uniformity Determine normality (target)	Enable/support improvement Control, simplify, stabilize, routinize, and repeat Become an ...