1. What is Lean?

In order to understand how Lean should be implemented we must understand what Lean is and what it means in Service, Support and Administration. Hence, the first question we asked the experts was: What is Lean?

The answers to this questions where quite long and exhaustive, so we grouped the answers into seventeen categories. Some of these where only mentioned by one or two people, but almost 90% of the respondants refer to Lean as a way to relate, a philosophy or a culture of continuous improvement.

Answers to challenge 1: What is Lean?

Only a handful respondents refer to Lean as a toolbox or methodology. This contrast quite alot from how Lean is often perceived and described by people and organisations that are new to Lean. This is critical in order to successfully embark on a Lean journey and really become Lean.

A conclusion should be that the leaders and employees must develop an understanding of Lean and spend time to reflect about what it means to their industry, their organisation and themselves. This however, can not be done overnight. The insight about Lean must be developed throughout the implementation and never stop, it should be part of becoming a learning organisation.

Leaders and employees who want to understand the philosophy behind Lean can take trainings, attend seminars and read books, articles and blogs like this one about Lean Management. Other ways to learn is of course to get started, test the concept, evaluate the results and then implement on larger scale. In other words Plan, Do, Check and Act…