Comments for The Lean Library

Comment on No Excuses Leadership by John Ommani Luchivia

John Ommani Luchivia — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 07:50:51 +0000

I have enjoyed reading this book. The basic idea for me is that a leader has no excuse not to see a way out of any situation. No matter the situation, a leader needs to see what others do not see in order to lead change and transformation. The leaders decision in hard times is the thin line between life and death for the followers. A true leader knows no obstacle. Yet all are leaders even without the title or position.

Comment on The Toyota Way Fieldbook by Jamie F

Jamie F — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:41:53 +0000

This is a book I often recommend. I like the practical nature in which many methods are presented. Because the author. Meier, was a Group Leader at Toyota, he was very hands on (he had to be). I like that he covers tools that aren’t just happening in facilitated events but through the normal course of improvement and problem solving, such as A3s. I wouldn’t make this the first book you read, but would make it part of anyone’s first 5 books.

Comment on The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Lean by Ankit Patel

Ankit Patel — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:09:04 +0000

When I came across this book I didn’t know if it would be very different from other lean books on the market and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The book does a fantastic job to give you an intro into lean and focuses on lean as a cultural change and not a set of tools. From my own experience as the CEO of The Lean Way Consulting I can tell you that if a company doesn’t realize lean is a cultural change they will fail with their lean implantation.

Besides the content being great I also loved the analogies used to describe concepts and ideas. It really helps with learning the concepts if you are new and if you aren’t (like myself) you can use the analogies to help others understand lean better.

I gave this book along with 5 other lean books to my sales staff to read and they said that this book was hands down the best one of the bunch.

I like the main message that lean is a journey and there’s not just 1 way to get to your destination. If you are new to lean this is the book you should start reading. If you are in the midst of your lean journey this is an excellent supplemental source of information that may give you new perspective.

Comment on The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Lean by Glenn Whitfield

Glenn Whitfield — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:15:23 +0000

I’ve been involved in Lean for my entire career (though when I started, we didn’t call it Lean), and found The Hitchhikers Guide To Lean to be a very refreshing look at Lean Thinking. Jamie and Andy do a great job of putting into perspective that Lean is not about the tools, but about a way of thinking. To me that is the most important part – thinking. It’s something that we don’t do enough of when approaching virtually any situation be it work related or personal. The first two words of the first chapter, “Think First” put the entire book into perspective.

But let’s be clear, the type of thinking we’re talking about is not a bunch of academics sitting around the fire with cigars and brandy, trying to solve the theoretical problems of the universe. No, the type of thinking here is good ‘ole common sense. I have a problem. Let me think about how I am going to solve the problem. And when I think, it will be in a logical, common sense way, using the principles of Lean.

The book also explores some of the common pitfalls of Lean. As I read through these, I found myself shaking by head in agreement having seen many of these in organizations I’ve worked. Anyone thinking about starting a Lean journey should read this chapter twice!

A discussion on the importance of leadership and the differentiation with management was nicely done and serves as a reminder of how leadership is not a position, but an action.

Overall, a very well written book that is essential for those just beginning their Lean journey, and an excellent reminder to those of us who have been around a while of the basic principles of Lean and what it is really about. I strongly recommend it.

Nice work!

Glenn

Comment on The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Lean by Alan Shalloway

Alan Shalloway — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:32:46 +0000

I consider myself to be very knowledgeable in lean already, actively consulting in it in the software industry. I read this book mostly because it was recommended and I liked the thoughts I’d been hearing from Jaimie on twitter (@flinchbaugh). I found it to be interesting to read and have lots of nuggets of insight. However, the reason I recommend it, is that it has the, hard to say this accurately, “being-ness” of being lean. By this, I mean that it captures the true essence of what lean is. Lean is not a set of tools (although it has tools), it is not just a set of perspectives or thought processes, although it has them. It is more about an approach to life and work. But it is not even just that attitude. It is about how one collectively takes one’s knowledge and viewpoints and rolls them all together to be effective.

Yes, I know I’m talking a little zenish here. But lean is like that (or should be when understood). But this isn’t just a ‘zen of lean’ which might leave one looking for more tangible information. It includes this quality while giving tangible information. This is what makes this a great book. For example, the 7 wastes – a couple of quotes. “when talking about problems or opportunities, do you apply th elens of waste every time?” and “The seven wastes are not to be used as an academic exercise to see how organizations can categorize things. They comprise a specific lens companies should use every day.” Now I’ve known the 7 wastes for years. And I’ve found them to be useful. And I’ve even done what Jaimie suggests. But I’ve never used the metaphor lens before, although it is spot on. He talks about using them as a lens to see our process. It’s not just about eliminating the waste, it’s about improving the process by eliminating the waste. Doh! I knew that, done that. But the metaphor is powerful and takes it a step further.

This is just one of many examples that illustrate how the authors speak from knowledge, understanding, experience and an ability to explain and transition people. I admit to having many books on my must read books on lean. This is both a good introductory book on lean, but perhaps has a special place for those who already understand the sense of it, but can’t quite get what all the excitement is about. I think this book will help you understand and I highly recommend it.

Comment on How To Implement Lean Manufacturing by Joe Walton

Joe Walton — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:39:53 +0000

Finally we have a “how to” that makes sense and destroys some of the myths. The myth that lean benefits will take a long time is the one I find particularly silly. Just because it took Toyota 30 years doesn’t mean significant benefits can’t be realized in 30 days. For sure a culture changing lean project will take time but like most changes it only takes as long as it takes to change your mind.

The important aspects of implementing a lean change are covered in enough detail to be helpful. I found the chapter on Inventory and Variation to be most helpful. Even though the author tries to limit discussion on Lean Cultural issues the chapter on it is useful.

I’ve read all the books on Toyota and Lean and I’ve found this book to be the most useful. Highly recommended.

Comment on How To Implement Lean Manufacturing by Randall Kooiman

Randall Kooiman — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:20:07 +0000

An industrial contractor once told me that he really liked the fact that companies were trying to apply Lean because he got a lot of work as a fallout of poor application.

It’s amazing to me that companies will try to adopt state-of-the-art manufacturing concepts, such as Lean, without a good understanding of what they hope to accomplish or even why the concepts have become popular.

I think part of the reason is that there is not much useful, practical advice on how to do it.

This book goes a long way toward filling that void.

It is loaded with practical examples and exercises to clarify the application methods and benefits. It has some suggestions on getting started that can make you money almost immediately.

Chapters 2-5 provide a good overview (and there is a glossary for quick reference). Chapters 6-8 give a step-by-step procedure for getting started. Other chapters explain how to advance a process already in place and several chapters have excellent case examples. I especially liked chapter 18 where there is a simple experiment with dice to show the effect of variation on plant capacity.

I very much enjoyed reading this book because it helped me understand the principles and how to apply them. I was also impressed with how much the case studies reinforced the principles and tied them to real events. I recommend it to those who wish to implement lean in their facility.

Comment on The Machine That Changed the World by Karen Wilhelm

Karen Wilhelm — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:26:10 +0000

I really respect this book for the way it has energized people to learn more about lean. I can’t count the number of people who have told me that it is what opened their eyes.

My complaint is that it launched the word “lean” on the world, which has caused more misconceptions than it’s worth. I’ve heard the story of its origin, which fits into the Japanese understanding, that if you change your diet to not consume unhealthy foods and if you exercise regularly, your body will become lean as you lose weight.

As I don’t have to tell anyone, “lean” has been compounded with “mean” and we haven’t found a good substitute yet.

Comment on Taiichi Ohno’s Workplace Management by Jamie F

Jamie F — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 11:25:34 +0000

While no one person invented lean, no one is given more credit than Taiichi Ohno. Access to his true thoughts and ideas are rare, and this book is the best and most useful of Ohno’s work. Many lean students would want nothing more than to spend a day with Taiichi Ohno walking through their plant. This book is the closest thing we have left to that experience. Jon Miller has done a diligent job not just in translation but ensuring that the true meaning comes through in a readable fashion. You truly feel as if you are in conversation with the father of the Toyota Production System. While this book won’t paint a clear picture of what to do next on your lean journey, it should be required reading for any serious student of the subject.

Comment on Profit Beyond Measure by Jamie F

Jamie F — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 01:24:21 +0000

Tom Johnson’s book could be just as impactful as Relevance Lost. His close study of perhaps the most powerful and robust Many people look for that one missing link that others don’t see. Others have seen it, but few have articulated it as well as Johnson.

If you resort to curtailing travel and eliminating donuts to try and make budget, or think lean is a material control system, or simply feel that their current patterns of management will never get you where you need to go, you should read this book. Through the attention and cultivation of the work and relationships of the business and not just the measurement results you will find many disconnects in how you are serving your customers. The work of the organization carries all of the information you need with it, and while output measures are important for reporting reasons, they are not helping you to design a system that connects workers to customers. This can help.

I predict this book and not Relevance Lost will be considered Johnson greatest contribution. Enjoy!