How can you sustain the benefits of Lean manufacturing?

2 Implement standard work

Standard work is a key element of Lean manufacturing, as it defines the best way to perform a task or process, based on the principles of quality, safety, and efficiency. By implementing standard work, you can ensure consistency, reduce variability, and eliminate waste. Standard work also provides a baseline for continuous improvement, as you can compare your actual results with your expected outcomes and make adjustments accordingly. To implement standard work, you need to document, train, and audit your procedures and practices regularly.

3 Empower your team

One of the main benefits of Lean manufacturing is that it empowers your team to take ownership and responsibility for their work, as well as to participate in problem-solving and improvement activities. By involving your team in the Lean process, you can tap into their creativity, knowledge, and skills, as well as boost their motivation and morale. To empower your team, you need to communicate your vision and goals, provide feedback and recognition, encourage collaboration and learning, and delegate authority and autonomy.

4 Apply Kaizen

Kaizen is a Japanese word that means "change for the better" or "continuous improvement". It is a core concept of Lean manufacturing, as it implies that you are always looking for ways to improve your processes, products, and services. Kaizen can be applied at different levels, from small and incremental changes to large and radical innovations. To apply Kaizen, you need to adopt a PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle, where you plan your improvement actions, execute them, check the results, and act on the feedback.

5 Review and adjust

Another important aspect of sustaining the benefits of Lean manufacturing is to review and adjust your strategies and tactics according to the changing needs and expectations of your customers, stakeholders, and environment. You need to be flexible and adaptable, as well as proactive and responsive, to cope with the challenges and opportunities that arise in your plant engineering operations. To review and adjust, you need to collect and analyze data, evaluate your performance, and implement corrective and preventive actions.

6 Celebrate and share

Finally, you need to celebrate and share your achievements and learnings from Lean manufacturing, as this can help you reinforce a positive culture and mindset, as well as inspire others to join and support your efforts. You can celebrate and share your successes and failures, as well as your best practices and lessons learned, through various channels and platforms, such as newsletters, meetings, awards, events, and social media. By celebrating and sharing, you can also acknowledge and appreciate the contributions and feedback of your team, customers, and partners.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?