Process

Lean Process Design & Continuous Improvement

Standardizing, Stabilizing, and Improving Processes to Deliver Maximum Value

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Every process in your organization exists to deliver value to a customer, whether that customer is external or internal. At Lean Management Systems, we help you design, develop, manage, and continuously improve processes so they are efficient, predictable, and aligned with customer needs.

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We view standard work not as a fixed rulebook, but as a hypothesis, a best-known method that is continuously tested and refined through PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Adjust) cycles.

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This means:

• Planned activities are designed to achieve expected outcomes

• Problems are anticipated and surfaced in real time

• Every process can always be improved

 

Our approach engages team members to follow standard work, identify and solve problems, and experiment with ideas to achieve better results.

 

The Three Key Flows of an Effective Process

In a well-designed Lean process, there are three interconnected flows:

1. Following the Standard – Team members execute the agreed-upon best method for consistent outcomes.

2. Correcting Problems – When deviations occur, they are quickly identified and addressed to restore the standard.

3. Improving the Standard – Teams experiment and innovate to create better ways of working.

 

These flows ensure your processes stay stable today while improving for tomorrow.

 

How Well Does Your Organization Manage Processes?

Reflect on these key questions:

• Do leaders provide team members with work that is clearly specified in content, sequence, timing, location, and expected outcomes?

• Do team members consistently adhere to the standards communicated, taught, and supported by leaders?

• Are problems identified in real-time and elevated for immediate containment and structured problem-solving?

• Are experiments conducted under coaching and guidance, gradually achieving cascaded improvement goals?

• Are standards continuously improved to avoid problem recurrence and achieve higher levels of performance?

If the answer to any of these questions is unclear or inconsistent, your processes may lack stability—or your improvement system may not be fully developed.

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Our Proven Roadmap to Process & Value Stream Transformation

We help organizations transform their processes, value streams, and overall performance using our 4-step Lean Process Improvement Methodology: