Lean For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Take charge and engage your enterprise in a Lean transformation

Competitive pressures force everyone to satisfy more demanding customers while using less of everything — time, energy, space, materials, and money. Updated with the latest tools, advice, and information, this no-nonsense guide shows you how to apply the proven philosophies and techniques of Lean to eliminate waste and maximize the effectiveness of your resources.

• Lean 101 — get the skinny on the logic of Lean, from its principles to the language and lexicon of Lean

• Power to the people — explore the often-overlooked "Respect for People" aspect of Lean to truly grasp the human side of change

• Go with the flow — understand the way value is created and flowed to the customer

• Fasten your toolbelt — find easy-to-follow explanations of the many customer, value stream, flow, pull, perfection, and management tools of Lean

• It's a Lean, Lean world — take a tour of the many aspects of a Lean enterprise, from management and product development to production processes and the quality organization

"By emphasizing Lean principles and insisting on cultural transformation, Sayer and Williams empower the reader to create a lasting culture of continuous improvement."— Robert Miller, Executive Director, The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence

Open the book and find:

• The common tools, principles, and practices of Lean

• How to lead and manage a Lean organization

• Step-by-step instructions for value-stream mapping

• Five real-life case studies using Lean in different organizations

• The best practices of Lean

• How to apply Lean in different industries

• Ten pitfalls to avoid

• Resources you can turn to for additional help

Learn to:

• "Go Lean" within your organization and create an environment that embraces change

• Deliver maximum customer value to create a competitive advantage

• Operate your business effectively — do more with less