8 "Definitions" of Lean

Depending on the group you are addressing or the point you are trying to make, it's helpful to define or present Lean in different ways. Here are a few I've used. Have you used other ways to help people think differently about work?

1. Lean is changing work to make is easier for three people - yourself, the next guy, and the previous guy
2. Lean is the difference between "making stuff and sending it out" and manufacturing
3. Lean is designing work so you don't make a career out of it.
4. Lean is not about turning up the speed on your least productive machine. It's about turning down the speed on your most productive machine...the machine you don't know you have...the one that runs 3 shifts a day, everyone knows how to run it, and never needs PM...The one that generates scrap, downtime, waiting, and poor results on all your other machines.
5. Lean is never admitting you are lean.
6. Lean is less about doing what works than it is about not doing what doesn't work.
7. Lean is focusing your time, effort, and creativity on the 20% of your day that isn't a complete waste of your time, effort, and creativity.
8. Lean is creating value without creating anything else