TL;DR: This post revisits the origins of lean production through John Krafcik’s 1988 article, reflecting on how lean manufacturing began as an integrated management system rooted in culture, leadership, and respect for people–and why those foundations still matter more than tools today. Where the Term “Lean Production” Came From Executive takeaway: Lean began as a leadership and culture system–not a toolkit–and organizations that miss that distinction repeat the same mistakes 25 years later. People often … Continue reading The Evolution of ‘Lean Production’: Reflecting on 25 Years Since the Term Was Coined