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Books : Creating a Lean Culture: Tools to Sustain Lean ConversionsIn association with Amazon.comRating:  - Book has quite an impact on new lean leadersThis is a fantastic book, one of the small number of "core" lean books that I recommend to people. I've used the book with many healthcare clients who are new to lean. They have loved the book so much that they have read it three times, learning something new each time, and learning something different at each stage of their lean learning journey. The most frequent comment I hear is that the book means one thing to them before they start but it means even more to them after they have "struggled" with a lean environment on their own, revisiting the book and its concepts helps immensely. Mann's book helps make concrete the vague notion of a "lean culture" and spells out steps leaders can take to start moving in that direction. The book doesn't promise quick fixes, nor should it, but it puts you on the right path to developing your people, your leaders, and your problem solving skills. Kudos to David Mann for a very practical, actionable guide for lean leaders or those of us who strive to become lean leaders. Rating: - Clearly shows you why something so simple is so hard to doI've been doing Lean since 2000 (Six Sigma earlier, 1997) and have been applying general Toyota methods with what I'd consider a very good amount of success. The problem has been, how do you convey the necessity of the Toyota Lean method as a complete "business system" as opposed to JIT and "tools" thinking for busy, batch-thinking individuals? This book fills the gaping void. Pro: -Straight forward principles, complete and thorough -Appear to be true to the Toyota principles as I have seen demonstrated by ex-Toyota executives/leaders turned consultants -Drives to the heart of lean as a business system, with many elements that I've personally tried or seen work well -A Shingo Prize winner... impressive -Avoids excessive Japanese terminology (not an issue for me, but sometimes an issue for others) Con: -I think that the power of IT applications is somewhat understated, and pitfalls of using or attempting to use IT-related systems not well described. Would like to see a better description of pitfalls and issues more specifically. Until then, think of IT as you would if you were automating a process... it had better be high volume and well understood/mature. Bottom Line: I think this a must-have text, and it is excellently written and laid out... plus it's to the point reinforced with numerous short case study examples. I'd recommend pairing this book with "The Toyota Way" (read that first to pave the way for this book). Also consider "The Toyota Way Fieldbook" as the ideal 3rd text to study. A word of caution, these books require a whole new way of thinking and commitment. Rating:  - New Lean Leader's ReviewGood easy to follow book. Interesting sections of different leader's responsibilities and the amount of time they should spend on standard work relative to their position. Also, intersting ideas on how to collect and follow up on worker's improvement ideas. Rating: - Managing in a Lean OrganisationThere are many books on the principles of lean, how to map value streams, 5S and so on. I am not aware of any other books devoted to how managers should behave in the lean environment. This book concentrates on the management "process" and recommends a number of key behaviours for lean leaders: 1) Leader standard work - i.e. standard tasks, notably walking the work area and reviewing performance on the "gemba", as a regular activity; 2) Visual controls - linking cell and value stream visual management with strategy; 3) Daily accountability meetings. It is fairly straightforward to understand, and it is a short book (less than 200 pages) but it makes its points well and its clear focus highlights the importance of these simple activities and behaviours for managers to reinforce and sustain the lean philosophy. I particularly like the chapter on people and participation. The book could have an easier style but overall I recommend it for all managers moving towards lean. Without managers displaying the lean culture in their actions, the transformation will not hold. Rating: - Lean managementRequired reading for those trying to change the management culture in a traditional manufacturing company. |
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