ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the concepts of a lean management system, explores the fundamental building blocks leading to operational excellence (OE) and considers how supporting methods, tools and techniques can be integrated in meaningful ways to create systems and subsystems that work in concert as functional elements. Building a lean enterprise starts with a lean management system that is rooted in a set of core principles used to guide the enterprise on a journey of efficiency improvement. These principles must align with the organization's strategic direction; be visible and understood by all employees; provide a simple, clear message of intent; and become a way of thinking, behaving and acting. Pull-induced material flow is one of the truly unique aspects of a lean management system since it's a fundamental change from a traditional batch-orientated push production system. It shifts the thought process from focusing on people and equipment efficiency to one of continuous material and information flow through a value stream.
