I’ve decided to make a small improvement in my definition of LEAN: I’m changing the last word “process” to “system.” My improved definition now reads:

Lean is a people-centered culture
where everyone works as a team to
1) to create customer value with less waste
2) and continuously improve the value-creating SYSTEM.

The word “process” means “a set of steps to achieve a desired outcome.” If your business decides to adopt LEAN, one of your foundational tasks is to standardize important processes. This includes the processes used to create value for your customers AND your various support processes such as machine maintenance, purchasing, production scheduling, or hiring.

But “processes” aren’t the ONLY things you standardize and improve. Lean companies eventually improve EVERYTHING in their organization: workplace layout, product design, incoming materials specifications, quality standards, and so on. When you make improvements to how a work-station is organized, it isn’t technically a “process” you’ve improved. But you HAVE improved part of your whole value-creating system.

I hope “system” will better communicate the broad range of improvements we aim to make in the Lean business culture. –Ray Randolph