Comments on: Oprahization of Lean Manufacturing

By: Annon

Annon — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:17:58 +0000

I love this article not only because I’m a huge Star Wars fan, but because the comparisons between Lean and the Force is uncanny.

I forsee, two things happening with “Lean”

1) People who read a book and proclaim they know all about Lean and are ready for it’s deployment. These are the theorist that have never “practiced”
2)Companies who spout Lean and really do Six Sigma. I’m post under an alias, bc my company right now is waving the Lean flag with an army of greenbelts and not one of them can tell me what Standard Work is, what accountability is, and god forbid I mention anything A3 related.

“The Dark Side Clouds much, difficult to see the future is….”

By: Ray Lamb

Ray Lamb — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:40:41 +0000

Unfortunately the zealots are right, like many things in today’s culture we want instant, so we develop shortcuts. We then convince ourselves that this is justified by results and blame the system when the inevitable failure occurs. The zealot comes along and we call them an old fuddy who doesn’t realise there are better ways (even though the better way has failed). This is because we are impatient. This is because we do not like to be told. This is because old is not fashionable. Lean is a simple journey, it follows a simple path and involves simple processes, which can be seen as too simple to solve complex system issues.

By: leansimulations

leansimulations — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:52:04 +0000

Try not. Do or do not, there is no try…. Yoda

Ha. Even Yoda deals in absolutes.

By: Mark Graban

Mark Graban — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:41:00 +0000

Great post, Pete. Discussions of “is this Lean?” also bother me sometimes, but the burden isn’t always on the “zealots.”

If somebody is asking “is this Lean?” as a way of prompting discussion of lean principles as part of them finding their way, then it’s great.

But far too often, I’ve seen people pose the question “is this Lean?” as a shortcut for their own thinking. They want an easy black or white, should I do this answer.

The zealots or sensei or coaches have to be mindful to not giving easy black or white answers.

The best answer to “are dishwashers lean?” would not be “yes” or “no.” That question should be answered by a series of questions and discussion.

As bad as “is it lean?” would be “does Shmula’s house use dishwashers or not?” in an attempt of just copying a specific practice.

Thanks for the creative way you framed this discussion.

By: Evan Durant

Evan Durant — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:48:41 +0000

I think zealots have their place, mostly as direction setters. People can easily get lost in the murky realities of everyday practice. Trade-offs, compromises, and “best” solutions become an end unto themselves and undercut the spirit of continuous improvement. There may not be any absolutes, but there is a true north. And this direction can and should guide the steps of a lean journey.

By: Jamie Flinchbaugh

Jamie Flinchbaugh — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:46:28 +0000

I agree with your point about Obi-Wan. If lean “dies” as a movement, I’m afraid it will be at the hands of those that most supported it, and this will be the reason. There is not one ideal state that everyone must commit to. The zealots must, against their very nature, allow others to head in the right direction even if they don’t do it just the way the zealot would, or use the words that the zealot would use.

Jamie Flinchbaugh
wwww.jamieflinchbaugh.com