Lean Manufacturing Practices: Still Relevant Today?

Are lean manufacturing practices still relevant and valuable today? In a word, Yes. As the world continues to be driven by technological changes, competitive challenges and evolving global priorities, businesses and other organizations search for ways to optimize their operations, improve their workforce performance, identify new markets and gain as much of an advantage over their industry rivals as possible.

Since the 1970’s, Lean manufacturing practices have driven continuous improvement, focused on optimizing processes, reducing waste, and increasing value across many different types of organizations and industry sectors. Today, with the development of and interest in automation and artificial intelligence (AI), questions have been raised if Lean practices are still applicable, have possibly reached their limit or will be able to evolve as the pace and type of change ramps up.

Lean principles originated in manufacturing, particularly with Toyota’s production system. Over the years, Lean has expanded beyond factory floors into healthcare, tech, government, and even education. Today, its core principles of identifying value, reducing waste, promoting continuous improvement and establishing a culture of change management and innovation.

One statistic highlights lean manufacturing’s consistent value: over 80% of companies that implement lean manufacturing practices report measurable improvements in efficiency and employee satisfaction. Therefore, the high value and relevancy of lean practices has not changed. What has changed is how organizations deploy lean manufacturing practices in an increasingly tech driven, automated and fragmented world.

As stated above, the future of lean manufacturing practices depends on its ability to adapt and integrate with those emerging trends.

• Artificial intelligence and automation work together for reducing waste, predicting inefficiencies, streamlining repetitive tasks. Lean practices give cohesive structure to ensure these tools create value and are not misused.
• With environmental risks rising and business interests being threatened, organizations are working to reduce their environmental impact. Lean’s focus on reducing waste aligns naturally with sustainability efforts.
• For organization of all types and sizes, lean manufacturing practices’ flexibility offer a valuable tool to manage and facilitate change quickly.
• Leadership is even more important than before for lean implementation. Leaders need to mentor rather than dismiss; enable, not just enforce and demonstrate every day they are on the team and everyone is in this together.
• Lean manufacturing practices foster problem solving, analytical thinking and culture centered on continuous improvement and innovation.

So, are lean manufacturing practices still relevant and valuable? The answer is absolutely Yes, but how it is deployed and sustained is equally critical and the issue where most lean programs falter.

This is where Prosit fits in well – we can help you navigate all the emerging trends and bridge that gap between intention and execution. Prosit will work to implement a lean program that benefits the organization now and for years to come. Contact us to get started.