TPS is not a toolkit. It is not just a set of lean tools like just-in-time, cells, 5S (sort, stabilize, shine, standardize, sustain, discussed in Chapter 13), kanban, etc. It is a sophisticated system of production in which all of the parts contribute to a whole. The whole at its roots focuses on supporting and encouraging people to continually improve the processes they work on. Unfortunately, many books about lean manufacturing reinforce the misunderstanding that TPS is a collection of tools that lead to more efficient operations. The purpose of these tools is lost and the centrality of
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