Lean is considered as a way to cut the cost .However many would argue that lean is, in fact, merely misunderstood. It is misleading, as lean isn’t simply an exercise, but an elaborate assessment of every single step/process involved in a business processes. Below are five of the common miconceptions associated with the ‘lean principle’:
#1: Lean is not for all the processes
Breaking down the Lean misconceptions
The misconception: Only a manufacturing company with heavy equipments needs improvement.
Reality : Any business scenario could adapt the lean philosophy be it engineers, doctors, lawyers etc. Lean works with any task be it processing the bills,or scheduling meetings. The steps involved in a task could be improved.
#2: It’s expensive
The misconception: Lean process management is imagined to be a cost saving approach but it is actually the opposite.
Reality :
There must definitely be a recycle bin near the printer in your office. This might definitely save the time of your employees from wandering around in search of bins. Sometimes the small changes could be more effective.
#3: Lean might take a toll on staff members
The misconception : Since the focus is on constant iprovement and waste reduction lean process management creates an stressful atmosphere that might even affect the productivity of the staff members.
Fact :
As humans we have this natural resistance towards change. Lean seems to focus constantly on the betterment of processes which might create an unsettling pressure in the work environment. Communication is the key factor here. Through better communication you can make people feel included.
#4: Lean = Job losses
The misconception: Whenever we feel the pinch from our superiors regarding how we do our job ? or what are the processes included in our job?. We might jump to the conclusion lean is used as a job-cutting measure.
Fact :
It might be true that there are extra resources who are idle or not necessary for a particular project.There might also be extra jobs but lean is not a job-cutting measure.It highlights the areas of improvement such as the need for
additional resources or early departures or extra training.
Lean always puts the people first and it focuses on improving the people either by mentoring or training. It helps in reducing the errors and it makes an effort to put the people at ease to reduce the work pressure thereby making them the valued employees of the company for long term.
See full story on processexcellencenetwork.com