The Lean Enterprise: Tools for Developing Leadership in a Lean Culture

Lean culture should be developed so that the goal to improve a process or business condition on a continuous basis can be achieved. Organizations with a lean culture have reaped many successful experiences in implementing lean, so it is seen as a legitimate methodology for organizations. New employees coming into an organization that has a lean culture will be taught to see, think, and feel from a lean perspective in dealing with problems in their job.

Lean needs to be a cultural mindset for all for an organization to remain successful. The effort to build a lean culture relies on the support and active participation of leaders as the agents of change. Research shows that the success of a lean implementation is around 50% depending on leadership, while the remaining 30% is on finance, 10% on organization and culture, and 10% on skills and expert human resources. In general, leaders play a role in developing subordinates, problem-solving skills, and producing various continuous improvement efforts. In addition, leaders are responsible for encouraging subordinates to continuously use problem-solving tools as part of their efforts to improve their skills and deal with bigger problems.

This book focuses on leadership and the tools required to support a lean initiative. Understanding the basic and valuable tools of lean provides the foundation for leaders in support of their organization initiative. Topics in the book include a description of the eight wastes, organizational level process mapping, lean metrics, and developing a future position.

The author includes a discussion and samples of basic lean tools such as Kanban, standard work, and visual management. The author also describes the tools each leader needs to be successful with in creating a culture of lean thinking, including the leader task board, the process performance board, and process walk.

Heri Iswanto is currently the Deputy Dean of Student Affairs and Cooperation at the University of Pemnbangunan Nasion “Veteran” Jakarat, Indonesia. He completed his Doctorate of Economic Sciences, Master’s and Bachelor in Hospital Management. His dissertation was on the implementation of Lean and Lean methodologies in Indonesia. He completed his Doctorate of Economic Sciences, Master’s and Bachelor in Hospital Management. As lecturer at various University also been researcher at the Center for Health Research - UI, The Population Council, WHO & UNICEF Projects. Has spoken at conferences and trainings on "Lean Hospital" in USA, Taiwan, Thailand, Iran, Pakistan and Malaysia.