BEYOND THE 8 WASTES: Exploring Other Types Of Waste In Lean
Idadh Ibrahim - Business Process Lead
In the previous article I wrote about the 8 wastes in the process, where these wastes lead to waste of resources
Remember, it's not a question of remembering what the 8 wastes are, it's a question of understanding what they mean.
Remember that waste can be sub-optimal use as well as waste, using resources when they are not needed, or holding up a process with a series of activities that could actually be shortened but still achieve the final quality.
Here are some additional wastes that can be considered:
1. Energy Waste
Description: Energy that is used in an inefficient or unnecessary way
Example: Machines left running when not in use, unnecessary lighting in inactive areas, or the use of energy-intensive machinery.
Impact: Increased operating costs and poor environmental performance.
2. Technology waste
Description: Less than optimal use of technology or technology systems that are not being used to their full potential.
Example: ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems that are expensive but not fully utilised, or advanced technology that does not meet actual needs.
Impact: Wasted technology investment and reduced productivity
3. Communication waste
Description: Inefficient, inappropriate or excessive communication resulting in confusion, errors or delays in decisions and actions.
Examples: Unnecessary emails or meetings, unclear information flow between departments, or lack of clear communication standards.
Impact: Wasting team time, causing miscommunication and slowing down processes.
4. Information waste
Description: Inappropriate, irrelevant or redundant information that leads to poor decision making or unclear workflows.
Example: Poorly organised data, hard-to-find information or overly complex documents that impede workflow.
Impact: Time wasted searching for data or information, and decisions made based on incorrect or inaccurate information.
5. Waste of space
Description: Unused or inefficiently used space in a facility or workplace.
Example: Storage areas that are too large for current production volumes, inefficient factory layouts, or work areas that are not designed for optimal flow.
Impact: Increases rental or building maintenance costs and causes workers to walk further than necessary.
6. Quality waste
Description: Waste that occurs because quality standards are not met from the start. This results in poor quality products, rework, or excessive inspection.
Example: Relying on final inspection to find defects instead of building quality from the start.
Impact: Increased cost and time of production due to rework or loss of customers due to products that do not live up to expectations.
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7. Waste management
Description: Ineffective management processes or decisions that result in work delays, delays or wasted resources.
Examples: Excessively long approval processes, lack of delegation, or managers not giving clear direction to the team.
Impact: Reduced team productivity, increased project completion time and increased operating costs.
8. Learning Waste
Description: Lack of focus on skills development and learning
Example: Lack of adequate training for employees to use new tools or technologies, or lack of a structured career development programme.
Impact: Sub-optimal employee performance, high employee turnover and slow innovation.
9. Human Resource Waste
Description: Waste associated with the management of human resources, where individual talents or potential are not optimally utilised.
Examples: Employees are placed in roles that do not match their skills, there is a lack of employee involvement in decision making
Impact: Low productivity, lack of motivation and increased turnover.
10. Opportunity Waste
Description: Lost opportunities for business optimisation or innovation due to slow, inflexible or less proactive decisions in the face of market changes.
Example: Failure to take the necessary steps to adapt products or services to market trends or to take advantage of emerging technologies.
Impact: Loss of market share, reduced competitiveness and potential loss of revenue.
11. Waste of natural resources
Description: Unnecessary waste of natural materials or resources in production, which may have an impact on long-term sustainability.
Example: Excessive use of water or raw materials in the manufacturing process without regard to the efficiency or sustainability of the process.
Impact: Harm to the environment, increase in operating costs and damage to the company's reputation for sustainability.
12. Security Waste
Description: Waste resulting from accidents or safety hazards in the workplace that can lead to injuries, reduced productivity and increased insurance costs.
Example: Lack of adequate safety measures, unused personal protective equipment or unsafe working conditions.
Impact: Employee injury, reduced morale and potential litigation or fines.
Conclusion
We must not forget that there is a material, a capital, which will continue to be spent as long as this waste takes place and the capital cannot be returned. You can imagine how much money is spent with little or no benefit.
By understanding and identifying these different types of waste, companies can improve overall operational efficiency, not only in terms of production, but also in terms of resource use, management and wider organizational development.
Of course, this list can grow because it's all about the understanding