It is somewhat ironic* that I would write a post on waste: Cost Reduction, Waste, and Purpose.

I never lead any conversation on Lean with waste and I cringe (at least on the inside) when I hear Lean defined as the total elimination of waste. The core of that cringing is the elimination of waste being taken out of context. That context has a few dimensions:

1) As a barrier to achieving goals. More on this here: Cost Reduction, Waste, and Purpose.

2) Taken from an individual perspective without consideration for the system or value stream. More on this here: Cost Reduction, Waste, and Purpose.

3) When the definition is eliminating waste it doesn’t matter who or how the waste is eliminated. But who and how the waste is eliminated has a huge impact on the culture and sustainability.

• A few thoughts on how: How we approach improvement: Does it matter?

• As for who:
  • If experts are brought in to solve problems:
    • What respect does this show?
    • What skills are developed?
  • If people closest to the work solve problems:
    • What respect does this show?
    • What skills are developed?

• A final thought on how:
  • If people aren’t supported (through a system and coaching) to solve problems:
    • What respect does this show?
    • What skills are developed?

*I’m trying to embrace irony these days. I did buy a house with a white picket fence after all 🙂