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Lean Principles: How do Manufacturers Recognize Culture?

Sikich

Feb 24 2014

2 min read

How do manufacturers recognize culture?

Culture is invisible; it’s the “way we do things.” However, recognizing work culture in a manufacturing environment is essential for Lean production processes. For instance, culture allows employees to work on autopilot during the day, because it is a collection of habits and practices carried throughout a manufacturing company.

According to Creating a Lean Culture: Tools to Sustain Lean Conversions by David Mann, culture differences between a batch and Lean culture include:

Manufacturers that wish to “break” batch culture habits need to practice habits that make the workday more efficient. For instance, to achieve a Lean culture, manufacturers need to stop:

Keeping a quantity of extra material, for “just in case.”
Reordering more than needed when handling shortages, just to be sure you get enough.
Always keeping the production line full in case something goes wrong.
Starting a task early when information is not available from the upstream department.
Leaving improvement process to the “experts.” Improvement strategies should begin with employees working on the shop floor.
Continue working around a problem instead of solving it immediately, consequently, pushing off the problem.

Likewise, manufacturer’s implementing Lean culture habits need to make sure they don’t slip back into old habits. If a manufacturer stops following through Lean habits, they will soon face unstable and out-of-control processes that will require reinstituting Lean habits all over again. Therefore, get your entire team on board, work together, and create a better culture as one.

Interested in Lean manufacturing principles?
Read our blog post, 4 Top Misconceptions on Lean Manufacturing.

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About the Author

Sikich

Sikich is a global company specializing in technology-enabled professional services. With more than 1,900 employees, Sikich draws on a diverse portfolio of technology solutions to deliver transformative digital strategies and is comprised of one of the largest CPA firms in the United States. From corporations and not-for-profits to state and local governments and federal agencies, Sikich clients utilize a broad spectrum of services* and products to help them improve performance and achieve long-term, strategic goals. *Securities offered through Sikich Corporate Finance LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Sikich Financial, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. 