Top 10 lean tips

1. Focus
   Ensure that your lean program
   1. Delivers Customer Value
   2. Is aligned to your business strategy
   3. Delivers bottom line results - verified by your Financial expert!
   
   
2. Leadership
   Your lean programme should be sponsored by senior leaders
   They should be actively involved in the programme.
   The programme should be reinforced through regular communications
   
   
3. Process Oriented
   The lean approach is to systematically optimise your processes.
   Begin by understanding your key processes and where value is being added.
   The aim is to minimise or eliminate non-value adding process steps
   
   
4. Data Driven
   Without data, you are left with opinions.
   Make sure that all decisions taken to optimise processes are based on sound data.
   This assists in taking the emotion out of key decisions and promotes acceptance
   
   
5. Performance Tracking and Accountability
   Track performance and make results visible.
   Real time data tracking is best.
   Ensure all processes have key measures and review them regularly
   
   



6. Team Based Implementation
   Ensure that effective teams are created to optimise processes.
   Involve process owners.
   Track team performance and reward success
   
   
7. Human resources
   Ensure that your program is adequately resourced.
   Bring in expertise if required.
   Establish a proven training program for staff
   
   
8. Change Management
   Lean programs question the 'norm'
   This can be difficult and involve changing established practices.
   In this case, ensure that the team gives adequate attention to HR / Change Management.
   
   
9. Benchmarking
   Visit other successful lean implementations.
   Companies are often delighted to present their lean implementation.
   Network with other companies implementing lean.
   
   
10. Don't celebrate too early or give up too soon
    Lean is a journey.
    When you've optimised your process - start again!
    The aim is to build a culture of continuous improvement