Another column from the Superfactory.com blog. Horizontal surfaces can indeed be dangerous. In many cases, I've encouraged teams to eliminate them in creative ways. Horizontal surfaces (such as racks, carts, and tables) often invite excess WIP “because the space is there.”
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Mark Graban
Mark Graban is an internationally-recognized consultant, author, and professional speaker who has worked in healthcare, manufacturing, and startups. His latest book is Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More. He is author of the Shingo Award-winning books Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen, as well as The Executive Guide to Healthcare Kaizen. He also published the anthology Practicing Lean that benefits the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation, where Mark is a board member. Mark is also a Senior Advisor to the technology company KaiNexus.