Identifying Value and Waste
A central focus of Lean is finding process steps that add value, and identifying and reducing those that don’t add value from the customer’s perspective.
In the May, 2019 edition of Digger magazine, Editor Curt Kipp takes a look at how some Oregon nurseries have increased productivity and improved workplace morale by thoughtfully applying this concept in their businesses.
“By reducing waste, companies can make better use of existing resources, improve their throughput and increase their margins,” Kipp wrote. “But to accomplish this, companies must enlist their employees as partners in the process. Otherwise, they risk the perception that it’s all about cutting workforce, when it’s not. It’s about making the most of one’s workforce and other resources.”