What is Lean?
Pure and simple, lean is reducing the time from customer order to manufacturing by eliminating non-value-added waste in the production stream. The ideal of a lean system is one-piece flow, because a lean manufacturer is continuously improving.Most other books on lean management focus on technical methods and offer a picture of how a lean system should look like. Other books provide snapshots of companies before and after lean was implemented. This is the first book to provide technical descriptions of successful solutions and performance improvements. It's also the first book to go beyond snapshots and includes powerful first-hand accounts of the complete process of change; its impact on the entire organization; and the rewards and benefits of becoming lean. At the heart of Becoming Lean are the stories of American manufacturers that have successfully implemented lean methods. The writers offer personalized accounts of their organization's lean transformation. You have a unique opportunity to go inside the implementation process and see what worked, what didn't, and why. |
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22 of 23 found the following review helpful:
 A Data Bound Argument for LeanJan 27, 1999
This is the real stuff - not academic theory but real examples of "lean" written by the people that made it happen. The concluding chapter on "what we have learned about becoming lean" pulls it all together in a neat package. This is a must read for anyone who enjoyed Womack's book on "Lean Thinking". We have applied these learnings at this company with great results.
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
The most insightful first-hand account of implementing lean.Jan 13, 1999
By J. Huntzinger
This book covers a number of great insights into the journey to leanness. It has the unique angle of having its case studies written by the people from the companies profiled in the studies. This gives a first hand review of the accomplishments and roadblocks that are part of becoming lean by those that went through them. Becoming Lean also gives accounts from people with personal experience from working for Toyota while they transplanted to North America to how the Japanese school system compares to and contrasts from the American school systems. In general, this book gives an excellent understanding that only a first-hand account can do. If you want to learn what it means to become lean this book is a must and should be used as a reference book while going through the lean transformation!
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
A must read for companies thinking of lean implementation.Jan 11, 1999
"Becoming Lean" delivers the promise of its title by docmenting case studies of successful lean implementations in diverse industries. The step-by-step accounts of the implementors (CEOs, Presidents, and consultants) identify successful strategies and execution, as well as problems encountered during the implementations. Having worked in manufacturing for 29 years, I'm ecstatic that American companies are now understanding that we engineer and manufacture products in a global market. The only way to ensure long term survival is to deliver the highest quality at an affordable price (and cost) , precisely when the customer wants it! Lean Manufacturing is the only way to achieve ALL of these fundamental requirements. "Becoming Lean" provides the tools to get your company either started, or back on track, on the road to Lean success.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
A must read for companies thinking of lean implementation.Jan 11, 1999
"Becoming Lean" delivers the promise of its title by documenting case studies of successful lean implementations in diverse industries. The step-by-step accounts of the implementors (CEOs, Presidents, and consultants) identify successful strategies and execution, as well as problems encountered during the implementations. Having worked in manufacturing for 29 years, I'm ecstatic that American companies are now understanding that we engineer and manufacture products in a global market. The only way to ensure long term survival is to deliver the highest quality at an affordable price (and cost), precisely when the customer wants it! Lean Manufacturing is the only way to achieve ALL of these fundamental requirements. "Becoming Lean" provides the tools to get your company either started, or back on track, on the road to Lean success.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
A very good book for those involved in implementing Lean.Jan 09, 1999
I found this book very interesting and extremely practical. The chapters containing stories of Manufacturing companies currently implementing Lean are especially useful. Each contains a multitude of clear diagrams, worksheets, and examples of exactly what they have done. In addition, each company seems to have honestly commented on what works and what doesn't. If you are involved in implementing Lean Manufacturing in your plant, this is a must read.
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