Lean guides
Practical advice for running lean practices well, and for picking, piloting and connecting the tools that support them.
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What is lean? Lean methodology and the five lean principles
What is lean? A plain definition, who invented it, the five lean principles, the main types of lean and the methods teams use to put it into practice.
7 min read
Lean manufacturing
Lean manufacturing explained: principles, core tools, lean management on the shop floor, how to implement it step by step, the benefits and software.
8 min read
Lean management
What lean management means for leaders: lean thinking, the principles, daily management, lean leadership, examples and how strategy links to the floor.
6 min read
Six Sigma
What is Six Sigma? A plain definition, what 6 sigma means in numbers, the principles, DMAIC, the belt levels and how Lean Six Sigma combines it with lean.
8 min read
Kanban methodology
The kanban methodology explained: where the kanban system came from, its principles and six practices, kanban vs agile and Scrum, and how to start a board.
7 min read
Lean startup methodology
Lean startup methodology explained: Eric Ries's five principles, build-measure-learn, MVPs, validated learning, innovation accounting and when to pivot.
7 min read
Latest guide
Kaizen event: meaning, steps and a 3-5 day agenda
A kaizen event is a focused workshop that improves one process in 3-5 days. Learn the meaning, roles, agenda, steps, measures and common mistakes.
October 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Operational Excellence Software
Process improvement methodologies: 9 methods compared
Process improvement methodologies compared: PDCA, lean, kaizen, Six Sigma, TQM, theory of constraints, BPR and retrospectives, with how to choose and combine.
October 4, 2026 · 5 min read
Root Cause Analysis Software
Root cause analysis example: 6 worked samples and a template
A root cause analysis example for six settings, from a machine stoppage to warehouse picking errors, plus root cause statement wording and common mistakes.
October 4, 2026 · 5 min read
Daily Management Software
Gemba walk checklist: questions, form and routines
A gemba walk checklist with before, during and after steps, question sets for flow, safety and quality, a simple form layout and mistakes to avoid.
October 4, 2026 · 5 min read
5S Audit Software
5S audit checklist: questions, scoring and a template
A 5S audit checklist with five questions per S for manufacturing, a shorter office version, scoring guidance and tips to keep audits from becoming box-ticking.
October 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Value Stream Mapping Software
Value stream mapping symbols: the standard VSM icon set
Value stream mapping symbols explained: what each VSM icon shows, when to draw it, how to read the timeline, and tips for mapping by hand or in software.
October 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Lean Books
Lean thinking: the 5 principles and the mindset
Lean thinking is a way of creating value with less waste. Learn the five principles, the lean mindset, how it differs from lean tools and how managers apply it.
October 4, 2026 · 4 min read
Daily Management Software
Lean construction: principles, techniques and how to start
Lean construction applies lean thinking to building projects. Learn the principles, the eight wastes on site, the Last Planner System and how to start.
October 4, 2026 · 5 min read
Kaizen Software
Lean healthcare: principles, tools and how to start
Lean healthcare applies lean methodology to patient care. See the principles, hospital wastes, tools, patient flow and how to start in a clinic or ward.
October 4, 2026 · 4 min read
Lean Six Sigma Certification & Training
Lean training: formats, levels and how to build a program
Lean training teaches people to spot waste and improve work. Compare formats, levels and certification, and how to build an internal lean training program.
October 4, 2026 · 4 min read
Lean Six Sigma Certification & Training
Six Sigma belts: levels, roles and how to choose one
Six Sigma belts explained: white, yellow, green, black and master black belt levels, what each role does on a project, and how to choose the right level.
October 4, 2026 · 5 min read
Lean Six Sigma Certification & Training
Six Sigma white belt: what it is, training and value
A Six Sigma white belt is the entry level of belt training. Learn what white belt certification covers, whether free options exist, and if it is worth it.
October 4, 2026 · 5 min read
Lean Six Sigma Certification & Training
Lean Six Sigma yellow belt: training, role and value
A lean six sigma yellow belt supports improvement projects with basic tools. See what yellow belt training covers and how it differs from green belt.
October 4, 2026 · 5 min read
Lean Six Sigma Certification & Training
Six Sigma green belt: meaning, training and DMAIC tools
A six sigma green belt leads focused DMAIC projects. See what green belt training covers, the tools by phase, exam topics and whether it is worth it.
October 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Lean Six Sigma Certification & Training
Six Sigma black belt: role, training and certification
A six sigma black belt runs complex improvement projects and coaches green belts. Learn the role, statistical tools, certification and the path from green belt.
October 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Lean Six Sigma Certification & Training
Six Sigma certification cost: what you pay and why it varies
Six Sigma certification cost depends on belt level, exam-only or training, provider and format. See the cost factors and what to check before you pay.
October 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Lean Six Sigma Certification & Training
Six sigma certification free: what is free and what counts
Six sigma certification free routes explained: what free usually covers, how to judge recognition, and how to build real evidence with a project.
October 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Kanban Software
Free kanban software: options, limits and when to pay
Free kanban software options, from a whiteboard or spreadsheet to free app plans and open-source tools. See what each option limits and how to choose.
October 4, 2026 · 5 min read
Kanban Software
Kanban board template: 6 layouts with columns and WIP limits
A kanban board template gives you columns, WIP limits, swimlanes and card fields. Copy six layouts, from simple three-column to service desk, and adapt them.
October 4, 2026 · 4 min read
Kanban Software
Kanban board examples: 8 boards from different settings
Kanban board examples from manufacturing, hospitals, HR, marketing, software, sales and IT support, with columns, WIP limits and what each board showed.
October 4, 2026 · 4 min read
Kanban Software
Kanban project management: principles, practices and metrics
Kanban project management uses a visual board, WIP limits and flow metrics. Learn Anderson's principles and practices, and how kanban compares with Scrum.
October 4, 2026 · 5 min read
MVP Tools
Minimum viable product (MVP): meaning, types and examples
MVP meaning explained: what a minimum viable product is, the main MVP types, how to build one step by step, what to measure, and mistakes to avoid.
October 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Lean Canvas Tools
Business model canvas: the 9 building blocks with examples
The business model canvas explained: the nine building blocks, a worked example, how to run a canvas workshop, and how it differs from the Lean Canvas.
October 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Lean Canvas Tools
Lean canvas template: the 9 boxes, fill order and example
A written lean canvas template with guiding questions for all nine boxes, the order to fill them in, a worked example and how to test your riskiest assumptions.
October 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Value Stream Management Software
Lean software development: principles, wastes and flow
Lean software development explained: the seven principles, the seven wastes of software, flow metrics, value stream mapping, and how lean differs from agile.
October 4, 2026 · 6 min read
Customer Discovery Tools
Lean UX: principles, process and the think-make-check cycle
Lean UX explained: what lean user experience design is, its principles, the think-make-check cycle, hypothesis statements, the Lean UX canvas and agile fit.
October 4, 2026 · 4 min read
MVP Tools
Lean product development: principles, set-based design, A3s
Lean product development explained: principles, set-based concurrent engineering, the chief engineer system, A3s, trade-off curves and ties to lean startup.
October 4, 2026 · 4 min read
Six Sigma Software
Lean vs Six Sigma: differences, history and when to use each
Lean vs Six Sigma compared: what each method targets, where they came from, how they differ in manufacturing and how Lean Six Sigma combines them.
October 3, 2026 · 6 min read
5S Audit Software
Kaizen 5S: how 5S and kaizen work together in lean
Kaizen 5S explained: what 5S and kaizen each do, how they support each other in lean management and how to run them as one daily habit.
October 3, 2026 · 2 min read
E-Kanban Software
Lean manufacturing examples from shop floor to office
Practical examples of lean in action: what the problem looked like, which lean tool was used and what changed, in factories and beyond.
October 3, 2026 · 3 min read
Kaizen Software
Continuous improvement in lean: examples and strategies
Continuous improvement in lean explained: the PDCA cycle, daily kaizen and kaizen events, with practical examples and strategies that keep improvement going.
October 3, 2026 · 6 min read
Lean Templates
What is a lean stack? Choosing tools by practice
A lean stack is the small set of lean tools a team uses to run its practices. How to choose lean tools and techniques without buying software you won't use.
October 1, 2026 · 3 min read
Kanban Software
How to choose a kanban tool for a digital board
How to choose a kanban tool: when to move your board online, what a digital kanban tool needs, from WIP limits to flow metrics, and how to pilot one.
September 28, 2026 · 2 min read
Flow Metrics Tools
WIP limits: why limiting work in progress makes teams faster
What WIP limits are, why limiting work in progress shortens lead time under Little's Law, how to set a first WIP limit and how to handle urgent work.
September 25, 2026 · 2 min read
OEE Software
How to measure OEE: start tracking without a big IT project
How to measure OEE with a paper tracking sheet before buying software: what to record, how to calculate it and when OEE tracking is worth automating.
September 21, 2026 · 2 min read
Root Cause Analysis Software
How to write an A3 report: step by step, with an example
How to write an A3 report section by section, with a worked A3 example and the coaching questions that turn A3 problem solving into learning.
September 18, 2026 · 2 min read
MVP Tools
Build-measure-learn loop: lean startup tools for each step
The build-measure-learn loop explained, with the lean startup tools that keep each step short: assumptions, experiments, interviews, MVPs and metrics.
September 14, 2026 · 2 min read
Value Stream Mapping Software
How to do value stream mapping, step by step
How to do value stream mapping step by step: walk the process, record data, draw the current state by hand, design the future state, then add software.
September 10, 2026 · 2 min read
5S Audit Software
5S implementation: how to implement 5S so it lasts
A 5S implementation plan that lasts beyond the first audit: start from a real problem, let the team own the standard, audit and keep improving.
September 5, 2026 · 2 min read
Hoshin Kanri Software
Hoshin kanri X-matrix: how to build and read one
The hoshin kanri X-matrix in plain language: what goes in each section, how to read it, a small example, catchball and the monthly review.
August 29, 2026 · 2 min read
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