Reducing or eliminating waste (muda) is one of the approaches to lean manufacturing. Traditionally, Toyota uses seven types of waste. In the Western world, an eighth type of waste is also often used, namely “unused human creativity.” There is much discussion whether this is a good, useful waste to analyze or not. As I started to write this article, I saw this type of waste as not so helpful in lean manufacturing. Colleen Soppelsa, whose opinion I respect very much, on the other hand, sees it as a very helpful type of waste. Time to sort out my thoughts and reconsider the pros and cons of including “unused human creativity” in the lineup of the types of waste. Maybe by the end of this article I will change my mind. Let’s see…
Lean Philosophy
Dark Lean
During the European Lean Educator Conference in Chemnitz, I had the opportunity to listen to a presentation by Nadja Böhlmann on “Dark Lean.” In order to do good lean, we need to understand why some lean projects are bad. Or, in order for practitioners to reach the light side of lean, they need to understand more about “Dark Lean.” Let’s have a look at the darkness to understand the light…