Going Lean: How the Best Companies Apply Lean Manufacturing Principles to Shatter Uncertainty, Drive Innovation, and Maximize Profits

by Stephen A. Ruffa

Going Lean sets aside the notion that efficient operations and powerful innovations are only possible when business is steady and demand is growing. Instead, companies must learn that sudden shifts or unpredictable conditions need not undermine their results. Led by a new breed of companies –Toyota, Wal-Mart, and Southwest Airlines—a powerful, yet unexpected mindset is reshaping the rules for business competitiveness. By using Lean Dynamics ™—based on the now-famous Toyota Production System—companies everywhere can thrive in virtually any environment. In Going Lean, readers will learn how • become broadly effective in creating and sustaining value• set a critical foundation for achieving sustained excellence• identify sources of lag and create robust value streams that thrive in today’s dynamic conditions• describe the underlying techniques to maintain steady and predictable flow• create a system based on “pull,” or external demand that consistently introduces new innovation even during severe downturns• strive for perfection• deliver industry-leading returns

Genres: Business

263 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Matjaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's just an account of a few companies that implemented the coveted lean system while being very vague. I would rather have an in depth look into one company (found the Southwest Airlines quite intriguing) that just scratching the surface of many.

Solid 2/5

[Bob Wallner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really was off put by the title "Going Lean" and held of listening to the audio version. Too many times I hear expressions like this this (make us lean is another similar phrase) and it generally shows a misunderstanding of lean principles. I was pleasantly surprised that this book was not about flipping a switch and suddenly you "go lean".

Going lean is actually one of the better Management Level books I have read (listened to) on how to drive the lean philosophy (referred to as Lean Dynamics) throughout your organization.

I love the comparisons to great companies (mainly Toyota, Southwest & Wal-Mart). The book stresses that you cannot simply try to copy their model (something that Liker stresses in his great book Toyota Way) or you will fail. Rather you have to use the tools to design the path that is best for your organization.

There is a great section where a small retailer of sporting goods not only doesn't fear for their security when a big box opens, it actually thrives and intentionally opens stores in the shadows of the Juggernaut that is Wal-mart.

One other thing I really like about this book is the fact that the author give references to other things to read. (Goldratt's The Goal, Smith's Wealth of Nations among other's). He also doesn't shy away or "poo-poo" other improvement ideas such as six sigma, theory of constraints or quality circles. He gives a brief history of improvement including Smith's division of work, Taylor's scientific management, and Dr. Deming's philosophies.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to use lean dynamics to thrive in chaotic conditions

People and organizations too often find that the very things they did to prepare for emergencies end up making their problems worse. Stephen A. Ruffa shows you how to use the “lean dynamics” approach to track “lag” within your operations and eliminate it before it harms your competitiveness and makes you less adaptable in a crisis. He explains how to determine where lag is hiding and how to root it out. He offers a solid plan for launching lean dynamics and getting everyone on board. Ruffa also explains how to measure and maximize value within the lean dynamics system, and tells you how to stay ahead of the “value curve.” Ruffa writes clearly and illustrates his principles by comparing Toyota and the Detroit automakers, Wal-Mart and Kmart, and Southwest and other major airlines. getAbstract recommends his book to anyone interested in learning about a new approach to business operations.

[Michael Pelletier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of what going LEAN means to an organization both in terms of culture change and mechanisms. It does mention the notion of increased business Velocity as the sign of a successful LEAN implementation rather than lower COGS. Worth a read.

[Anthony Cheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going Lean is a good business book that could have been great, except the author never drills down into the specifics of how to implement Lean into an organization.

[Ltorrealba · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was boring and repetitive. I may be too harsh on it since it didn't turn out to be on the topic I hoped it was.