Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing thoughts | Gemba Panta Rei
The blog at gemba.com is always very thoughtfully done. This links to a writeup they did summarizing the status of “lean healthcare”.
Jon Miller cites:
“The main reason why hospitals are not going Lean is still the excuse that “we are different” or that the trainers or consultants in question do not have a healthcare background.”
That doesn't sound too much different than what I've heard in factories…. “our factory is more complicated than Toyota”….. “our industry is different”…… “you don't understand how to make these widgets.”
Hogwash to all of that. I think the best lean perspectives come from a combination of those who do know the current process working alongside those who do NOT know the process. Outside eyes bring fresh perspectives, NOT knowing that product/factory/industry/company can actually be a huge advantage. As the outsider, remember to stay humble and work with your insider partners. Otherwise, you'll both be frustrated and lose out.
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Mark's new book is The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation.
He is also the author of Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More, the Shingo Award-winning books Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen, and the anthology Practicing Lean.
Mark is also a Senior Advisor to the technology company KaiNexus.
Amen Mark!
It’s the same old story in a relatively new venue.
Although every company is “unique” the most unique quality they really have is geographic location.
Lean works in any environment without exception and no matter how “special” or “unique” a company or its’ products are.
In the end I believe Lean will be embraced by all. I just hope it’s not too late as it was for some in manufacturing