Abstract: This chapter discusses the concept of "Lean" in the supply chain management world. It describes the term "Lean" and the way it works. Lean is the westernization of a Japanese concept that has carried several names such as Toyota Production System, just-in-time (JIT) process, pull manufacturing, and total quality management (TQM). Each of these names incorporates some aspect of Lean and vice versa. Lean is a systematic approach that helps an enterprise focus on continuous improvement of quality, cost, delivery, and safety by eliminating waste, creating flow, and increasing a system's ability to meet its customer demand. The "Shingo model" evaluates Lean performance in the categories of enablers, core operations, results, and feedback/business results. Lean is also about team building, integration, and ownership. A Lean facilitator is usually assigned the task to organize appropriate teams and then give them appropriate guidance and training in the selected tools so that the Lean effort can progress with the greatest efficiency. A team is the one that makes decisions about any changes in the process and owns those changes. The role of the facilitator is to keep the team on top of the task so that team members develop and implement these changes in minimum time.
Publication Year: 2007
Publication Date: 2007-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 24
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