Lean Thinking

Lean means no waste. Slim and fit. Developed by Japan TPS and the likes, I remembered the 3 Mu - Muri, Muda Mura when I was training in MMC, Mizushima in 1983/84. Japanese organizations have been practising lean for a very very long time. Only recently that many companies (manufacturing and services) are hopping on the bandwagon of 'Lean Manufacturing' 0r 'Lean Enterprise'. Now it is quite a big issue in Malaysia. Last year, I went to Jeffrey Liker's two days course on TPS organised by Proton and it was enlightening.
Lean is a philosophy as well as a system which requires everyone to contribute their ideas in eliminating wastes in everything that we do and think. Just try to remove or reduce waiting time, idle time, travelling time, etc. Or even overproduction is a waste since we are making a product that no one needs at the moment. That is why the Toyota system is designed to be flexible and it is based on a pull system. Only make what the customer request. Imagine trying to make the system perfect.... just like a masterpiece Swiss watch. So, the next time you go to a bank, a hospital, or any commercial or government service for that matter, try to observe the system in working. In fact I found a book titled 'Lean Hospitals' published 2009 at the KL International Book Fair now on till 26th April 2009. In Europe and US, they are already making their health care systems lean. So, make Lean our way of life and this is what Islam has taught us. Pembaziran adalah amalan syaitan (Wasting is an act of the satan). So try not to waste.