The application of lean management principles to fields other than manufacturing

The Toyota production system was the foundation for the development of Lean Manufacturing. The founding principles were based on identifying and eliminating waste in the value stream. Over the past twenty years many manufacturing organizations have undergone a Lean transformation. The results of the Lean transformation have had many benefits. Manufacturers have experienced increases in profitability and customer satisfaction as a result of reducing their lead times, improving product quality and eliminating waste. Benchmarking theory notes that many breakthrough improvements come from looking at similar processes performed by other businesses. This paper will examine how the success of Lean Management in the manufacturing sector has led other sectors to adopt the Lean principles. The Lean philosophy and its supporting tools and techniques are yielding great benefits to customers of many other businesses well beyond manufacturing. Specifically this paper will document the successful implementation of Lean in Healthcare, Government, IT (Information Technology) and Construction Management. The benefits these organizations have derived through their Lean activities and how others can follow their lead will be presented.