On their own, the individual Lean concepts and tools will provide certain measurable benefits, but it is the combination of them and their systematic implementation that will lead to more dramatic gains. Successful Lean implementation requires commitment and involvement across all levels as an organization-wide change initiative.

The first step to any Lean initiative is to gain top management support. Effective communication of Lean Thinking throughout the organization is seen as a vital ingredient in its successful implementation. This has to begin at Senior Management level in any organization. Management must appreciate and understand the financial opportunity and long-term business benefits of converting from traditional ways of doing business to a streamlined Lean approach. It is imperative to educate and train core staff in Lean Thinking, and to appoint a number of internal Lean Champions to drive improvements across the organization’s core processes.

Without significant change in how a facility organizes and arranges the way that it works, any piece meal change will do little more than maintain the status quo. The maxim should be that every process can be improved and, even if you think ‘it isn’t broke’, fix it anyway.

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