Introductory Topics
The School of Lean introduces tools that contribute to a continuous improvement process that can be applied to any type of organization or individual leadership situation.
Lean is a set of time-tested, widely implemented management practices that creates value from the perspective of the customer, improves flow, and promotes respect for people.
“Respect for humanity” in Lean teaches everyone in an organization to operate with respect for employees, customers, suppliers, and the community overall.
Lean’s systematic approach helps to reduce process cycle time, improve delivery time (or overall efficiency), and provide an optimal setting for continuous improvement toward a desired condition state.
With Lean, businesses or organizations focus on eliminating in-house waste and activities that add no value to the customer. Lean enterprise refers to an entire supply chain or industry operating under compatible Lean systems and processes.
This course from the School of Lean at Gemba Academy covers what Lean is, why it matters, and how to lay the groundwork for a successful Lean journey, as well as a few Lean success stories.
What Are the Introductory Topics Offered in the School of Lean?
So, what is continuous improvement in regards to the topics covered in the course? Lean tools that can be used to develop continuous improvement processes in Gemba Academy’s intro coursework include:
Introduction to Lean
Learn why Lean is beneficial for individuals in any organization — and any industry. Lean-driven organizations are always thinking about ways to continuously improve the way they learn. Explore the different types of waste you can eliminate with Lean thinking and learn why people are the most important aspect of Lean.
The Components of the Lean “House”
Lean creates value for customers through the foundation of teamwork, challenge, and Kaizen (change for the better). It also stands on the pillars of continuous improvement and respect for people. Quality and stability go hand-in-hand, as seen in real-world Lean success stories.
The Ten Commandments of Continuous Improvement
Continuous improvement is a mindset and a way of thinking that’s focused on improving processes while also improving the lives of people. The focus is on the people. If you aren’t able to motivate, inspire, and respect others, your Lean skills won’t get you very far.Daily practice is essential for implementing Lean thinking. Learn why you must keep an open mind, say “yes if,” attack problems and core processes over people, and follow other Lean commandments.
Eight Lessons for Sustaining Excellence
Many organizations find that making improvements is easy, but sustaining them is hard. We’ve collected 8 essential lessons we’ve learned in the course of helping clients achieve sustainable gains.
What Is Continuous Improvement?
Continuous improvement refers to constant refining of organizational functions, services, products, or processes through iterative improvements implemented through practices like Lean and Six Sigma.
A continuous improvement process may employ a four-step model known as the PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act). The PDCA cycle goes as follows:
- Plan: When you identify a process that is wasteful or produces no value, make it an opportunity for growth — and make a plan for how to change it.
- Do: Implement the plan on an experimental level. A smaller-scale will allow you to make iterative adjustments and fine-tune your rollout.
- Check: Measure the success of your change through data — analyze the improvements in the process by comparing before and after metrics.
- Act: Roll out the change on a wide scale and implement your improved process, while continuously checking that your results hold true. If your new process doesn’t scale, start the cycle again.
The School of Lean emphasizes buy-in and engagement from employees, teamwork, and leaders who coach the process as much as the product.
Continuous improvement processes can follow methods of systematically measuring organizational practices to reduce variations, defects, and lead and cycle times. Continuous improvement is targeted to incrementally and iteratively improve existing processes through proven systems, tools, and practices.
Benefits of Gemba Academy’s Introductory Topics Course
Lean is beneficial for individuals and any sort of organization — no matter the industry. Lean enables people and organizations to change for the better by eliminating typical waste through improving processes and developing people.
Gemba Academy’s Lean coursework will teach you that in order to succeed, you must learn that respect for people is just as important as continuous improvement. Lean improves both quality and stability, but it requires both.
Lean processes will help your organization increase employee engagement and morale, reduce operating costs, and improve safety — leading to increased profits, and long-term growth and success.
Organizations around the world use these proven Lean practices, and now you can use our extensive training videos to institute Lean and develop continuous improvement processes in your organization.
Access When You Need It
Take your own continuous improvement journey on your own terms — and your own schedule. All Gemba Academy subscribers get access to our more than 2,000 expert-led Lean and Six Sigma lessons at your fingertips. Get the lessons you want, when you want them, on any device.
Reinforce Your Learning
With quizzes, assessments, and templates available to give you a deeper understanding and mastery of the material, Gemba Academy provides the reinforcement required to help the lessons stick. Simulations and real-world examples prove the validity of the concepts in various use-cases and industries, and provide you with both a firm foundation of knowledge and the ability to apply it to your own processes.
Expert Advice
All Gemba Academy courses are led by Lean experts, who provide real-world, time-tested, proven examples and experiences of putting Lean and Six Sigma to work as you develop continuous improvement processes to use in various industries. Consume lessons and advice straight from industry thought leaders and develop the confidence (and preparation) to apply your knowledge and expertise to improving your own processes.