ABSTRACT
The facilitator should be someone who is highly trained and experienced in the Lean process. He/she is an agent of positive change, a results-oriented generalist, flexible, and adaptable as opposed to narrow specialist. Lean tools and concepts focus the organization on changing the system or the process so that it is capable of adapting to changing customer needs. The facilitator needs to come away from the meeting with the champion having a clear, measurable objective for his Lean activity. The facilitator should subordinate himself or herself to the champion and team leader and will take direction from them on what needs to be done, when it needs to be completed, and how it should be done. The Lean process no longer needs the facilitator. The champion meets regularly and requests reports from, and gives direction to, each of the event rapid improvement event team leads.
