The Real Meaning of Lean

2. Company culture. Lean culture is one that embraces problems and asks why an issue occurred, not who was responsible for doing it wrong. Changing the company culture as one implements Lean is one of the huge hurdles companies need to address.

3. Implementation. Lean technologies need to be learned and implemented. This is best achieved by formal training for all staff so everyone understands the basics and the need to change the way things are carried out. In addition to formal training, hands-on activities like value stream mapping (a process to identify where the best impact can be made) and Kaizen events (short, focused, staff-driven improvement activities) need to become part of the organization's goal to make improvements on a continual basis.