Lean for Dummies

by Bruce Williams and Natalie J. Sayer

Book Overview

Have you thought about using Lean in your business or organization, but are not really sure how to implement it? Or perhaps you're already using Lean, but you need to get up to speed. Lean for Dummies will show you how to do more with less and create an enterprise that embraces change. In plain-English writing, this friendly guide explores the general overview of Lean, how flow and the value stream works, and the best ways to apply Lean to your enterprise...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0470099313
• ISBN13: 9780470099315
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 362 Pages
• Weight: 1.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

It covers the theory behind Lean nicely

Lean is a must know philosophy for any BPM professional and this book covers the theory behind nicely. It is important to put Lean in perspective while carrying out process improvement initiatives. Eliminate waste and minimize non-value-added activities must always be a driver for BPM projects

Best Lean reference book out there

Lean for Dummies is the best book for your Lean team to use as a reference if gives great information to go back to during kaizen events and value stream mapping events!.

excellent overview of the critical tools and concepts

In the 25 years that I have spent in the manufacturing industry I have read several books on lean and none approach the practical and yet thorough rendition of this intricate and multidimensional concept. It flows in a most logical way and offers the reader salient applications of the concepts while provoking ones own thoughts and ideas. In many ways its style is reminiscent of Deming, in Out of Chaos where the transformation of the enterprise is not some ethereal act of consultants but the dedicated efforts of an enlightened and energized workforce who lives manufacturing day in and day out. Fundamental concepts are clear, excellently explained and highly organized. Lean for Dummies is obviously written by two individuals with truly empirical hands on manufacturing experience for people who vitally desire needed improvements in our hyper competitive world..I am personally so very glad to have this new and refreshing powerful book for use in our business...ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT,INNOVATIVE, AND ENLIGHTENING... WE SHALL USE IT IN OUR FORTUNE 25 FIRM !!! WE STRONGLY SUGGEST A VERSION IN SPANISH AND LOOK FORWARD TO ITS PUBLICATION! Thank you -

Great Introduction. Explains terms. Gives you a good start. But that's it.

A big advantage of the "Dummies" series is that the topic becomes more inviting and is read by and hopefully talked about by relatively more people. A lot of fence sitters take this as a step to gain some understanding. And, books like these give some consultants and quality type of guys introduction into buzzwords to show off their knowledge and intelligence (Like I did after reading Wine for Dummies) That said, I think the book is a very good attempt and explains a lot of core concepts about Lean. It is better read than a lot of books about Lean Manufacturing. It is quite pictorial and easy to read. Some of the simpler concepts can be directly applied and for folks who work in Quality or Six Sigma teams, it can give them more tools that they can use. But to go into a full scale lean transformation and to adopt the philosophy of lean, a deeper understanding and much more knowledge is needed. That is not the purpose of this book and therefor deserves a full five stars for the attempt and simple explanation of the terms and concepts. P.S.: There are a few errors. I found about the funniest of those in a lean blog even before reading the book (both the pillars of TPS house are named Jidoka!)The new editions of the book have the error corrected.

Reader Review for LEAN for Dummies

I have had this book for a few weeks now. It provides countless ways to look at what we do in business and apply common sense solutions to the issues we face. For instance, the authors make the clarification between CUSTOMER and CONSUMER. I have often gotten the two confused. There are so many ideas packed into this volume that I cannot read all the way through it in one sitting. I prefer to read a bit, digest it, then apply it. The book explains the origin of LEAN from the Toyota Production System and from many of the US Quality gurus before that. What is very apparent to readers of the book, is that respect for the fellow worker is a cornerstone of the lean philosophy. This provides a strong foundation on which to build a company. People feel secure to do things more quickly and more economically, thus transforming their company into a well oiled machine capable of taking on more work and selling more product at a higher quality level. The motivation, excitement, and results are apparent. Toyota is currently surpassing the other US automakers in sales and quality. They are not laying off, they are building new plants. Another outcome is that empowerment occurs to front line employees who are given lean principles and tools to work with. The authors have extensive experience in manufacturing, scientific work, Six Sigma, Business Process Management, and other process centric topics. This allows them to compare LEAN to the other methodologies that complement it. I recommend reading this if you are a top executive, a middle manager, or a front line worker. Office workers especially can benefit from process improvements made using lean tools. One huge benefit of LEAN is that it does not require much of a budget. Actually, it creates revenue often by creating new capacity within a company. It works for Profit and Non-Profit entities. (It even works for your home life!) This is a great initial text on LEAN and an excellent reference as well. Happy Leaning!