The Lean Book: How to create effective and efficient processes in every organisation

The lean system has ancient roots but has evolved over time to reach an organic dimension that now incorporates modern technology. It consists of simple yet often counterintuitive components that must be understood as a whole to be applied successfully.

The challenge of this book is to convey all this with a lean approach –   scientific, rigorous, comprehensive, and precise but, above all, simple.

The Lean Book is designed to be a practical tool, a manual that can be read in one go or in segments while searching for answers to specific problems. Starting from the historical origins of the system, the text develops around the seven general principles of the lean system, presented through theory and practical examples, and then elaborated upon with techniques, reading recommendations, and self-assessment questionnaires.

This book is useful for anyone working in organisations of all types and sectors – from manufacturing companies to offices, from hospital wards to restaurants, and from multinationals to SMEs. Lean is a universal organisational system; its principles apply across all areas of our lives wherever there are processes that can be made more effective and efficient.

"I wrote The Lean Book to answer some fundamental questions: Can quality, convenience and speed coexist? Is the goal of the lean system to reduce costs? Is a product that undergoes more inspections actually a better product? How much do inventories truly cost? Is producing in large batches always cost-effective? What are the two key variables in designing a process? And most importantly, what is the difference between doing lean and being lean?
The answers are often counterintuitive and challenge widely held – and often incorrect – beliefs.

In each chapter, you will find a fundamental principle of the lean system, summaries of the main application techniques, a practical case study, and a self-assessment questionnaire to gauge how well your organisation has assimilated lean principles."