Lean Enterprise Transformation

An end-to-end (system) focused, Enterprise Value Stream Transformation. Multiple Value Streams are selected for the transformation. All activities in these Value Streams will be analyzed to determine value and non-value (waste). An Enterprise Implementation Plan will be developed that details how the waste will be systematically eliminated.                                   

Enterprise Transformation Goal

The goal is to embed Lean principles, practices and behavior in your comapny so that they become business as usual. Once there is a critical mass of Lean behavior in the enterprise, it becomes a "way of life" and a fundamental, collective mindset of the Enterprise.

Enterprise Transformation Challenges

All actions and resources of an organization must be focused on creating value. Any action or resource that does not contribute directly to the goal of creating value is waste and should be eliminated to the greatest extent possible. Value Stream analysis will identify the areas that should be focused on in the Lean transformation.

The most formidable obstacles to sustainability will be people-related rather than technology-related. We place great emphasis on preparing the organization for change. Change is about aligning people and processes toward a common goal and ensuring that goal is met by focusing on cultural issues while implementing Lean. There has to be timely and productive application of Lean methods as they are learned. To do this, an organization also has to address its cultural issues by changing the behaviors and attitudes that created them. Successful companies grow their internal resources to assume leadership, change management, coaching and implementation roles.

Enterprise Transformation Approach

Before a full scale Enterprise Transformation takes place, we do a 3 month Pilot program to assess organizational readiness and commitment. Once the pilot is complete and the organization is aligned and ready to proceed with a full transformation, we then introduce, anchor and expand the Lean appraoch throughout your enterprise in three distinct Phases.

Phase 1 The Foundation Phase introduces and implements Lean into 4 Value Streams. This could be refined based on the results of the initial site assessment.

We work with clients to develop, adapt and apply the Lean principles to their processes. We recommend between 2-4 Value Stream transformations in this Phase.

This phase represents the model for the full transformation. It is our expectation and recommendation that the phases blend together so that Phase 2 begins before the completion of Phase 1.

Each Value Stream transformation lasts approximately 3 months. Each 2-3 day training session is staggered to allow your Value Stream Leader(s) to attend as many training and implementation sessions as possible.

The Value Stream team members engage in learning, applying various tools and influencing change throughout the Value Streams.

During the Foundation Phase, we work with the client to plan Phase 2. We identify the next Value Streams to be transformed, engage with a small number of team members along with the executive, and review and integrate lessons learned. This level of participation will link Phase 1 and Phase 2 and will ensure continuity and momentum of the process improvement initiatives.

Phase 2 The Anchor Phase spreads Lean to existing and/or additional value streams while training a number of your staff to become internal experts.

In this phase, we build on the success of the Foundation Phase. The program is now applied to existing and/or additional value streams. We will facilitate the implementations with your staff co-facilitating while being trained as as internal experts or 'Lean Leaders'. The leaders will facilitate, where they feel comfortable with the theory and application, in the Value Stream implementations of this phase with on-site support, coaching, and mentoring from us.

In Phase 1, we are leading the transformation process and your team is supporting, learning and developing. By Phase 2, your team moves into a facilitation role and we switch to a coaching, mentoring and training support role. Cultural learning and implementation initiated in Phase 1 (leadership, communication, etc) will continue through this Phase. As in Phase 1, the Phase 3 Value Streams will start to be engaged in the process prior to the completion Phase 2.

Phase 3 The Expand Phase broadens the Transformation scope to include additional critical areas of the organization. In this Phase, your staff will take the lead training and facilitation role with KAIZEN Institute USA assuming coaching and mentoring duties.

In the final phase, the roll-out continues and the implementation and knowledge transfer is expanded throughout the organization. During this phase, your team is leading the transformation with remote support from us. Your Lean leaders who have been through the program have ownership and knowledge of Lean and are driving the change.