“A systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste (non-value added activities) through continuous improvement by flowing the product at the pull of the customer in pursuit of perfection” -The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Lean Network
Lean is a “thinking principle.” It tells you how to think about what you are doing in such a way, that you begin to identify opportunities for improvement. “Lean thinkers” know how to look at what they are doing, and categorize the work into three categories:
Customer Value Added Work – This work creates the “product” or application
Business Value Added Work – This work allows businesses to stay viable/compliant/lawful (e.g., audits, planning functions, approval functions)
Non Value Added Work – This work is usually all “ceremony” or wasted effort that creeps into our processes over the years
Lean was born on the shop floor of Japanese manufacturing companies. It improved processes so dramatically, that the manufacturing companies decided to use lean thinking beyond their shop floors: into their service areas. Initially, they used lean within R&D, and then within other service areas, such as IT.
Lean in IT is a systematic approach to identifying project waste, focusing activities on eliminating it, and maximizing – or making available – project and business resources to satisfy other requirements (when needed).
IT shops that have never used lean thinking principles, spend less than 10% of their time on Customer Value Added activities (building the applications). World Class IT shops spend 35% to 55% of their time on Customer Value Added Activities. They create speed by increasing process efficiency through waste and defect elimination, customer alignment, empowered workers and a culture of continuous improvement.
What is Lean?
“A systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste (non-value added activities) through continuous improvement by flowing the product at the pull of the customer in pursuit of perfection” -The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Lean Network
Lean is a “thinking principle.” It tells you how to think about what you are doing in such a way, that you begin to identify opportunities for improvement. “Lean thinkers” know how to look at what they are doing, and categorize the work into three categories:
Customer Value Added Work – This work creates the “product” or application
Business Value Added Work – This work allows businesses to stay viable/compliant/lawful (e.g., audits, planning functions, approval functions)
Non Value Added Work – This work is usually all “ceremony” or wasted effort that creeps into our processes over the years
Lean was born on the shop floor of Japanese manufacturing companies. It improved processes so dramatically, that the manufacturing companies decided to use lean thinking beyond their shop floors: into their service areas. Initially, they used lean within R&D, and then within other service areas, such as IT.
Lean in IT is a systematic approach to identifying project waste, focusing activities on eliminating it, and maximizing – or making available – project and business resources to satisfy other requirements (when needed).
IT shops that have never used lean thinking principles, spend less than 10% of their time on Customer Value Added activities (building the applications). World Class IT shops spend 35% to 55% of their time on Customer Value Added Activities. They create speed by increasing process efficiency through waste and defect elimination, customer alignment, empowered workers and a culture of continuous improvement.