How to apply lean management?

In order to apply lean management in a company/organization you need to follow five basic principles:

Value

In lean management, value is very important. The first step in applying the methodology of the lean management is to identify the value that the service/product provides to the customers.

Value stream

The second step is the identification of the workflow. The production systems and the employees involved must be clearly identified. If everything in the company is clarified, then it is easier to identify what has and what does not have value to the customers.

Flow

After the value and the way of production is clarified, the next step is maintaining a continuous workflow. During this step, the specific tasks and responsibilities of each department as well as the working groups have to be defined. These actions also contribute to the reduction of delays on value added activities.

Pull

The pull system is based on production according to the customers’ needs, demands and orders. The amount of goods produced is not defined based on forecasts, but on the actual amount of customers’ orders. This eliminates the waste and the surplus production and efforts.

Perfection

The last step, is actually the feedback that employees are receiving from the managers and the customers. It is a way for improvement, increase of efficiency and productivity, as well as increase of motivation among the employees to keep up the good work and improve themselves. All these, finally will lead in adding more value to the products/services and increasing the customers’ satisfaction.

Lean management has direct impact on both employers and employees, as well as on clients. By completing the tasks without wasting too much time and effort, employees get more happy and enthusiastic with their work. This attitude affects directly on clients, as they have good relations with the employees and the employers achieve to have a fast growing and successful company.