ABSTRACT
The decision to pursue Lean Higher Education (LHE) is the critical first step, signaling readiness on the part of the university’s leadership to improve institutional effectiveness through the application of Lean principles and practices. The success of LHE requires the commitment of key leaders, regardless of whether it is implemented as a comprehensive university-wide change program, a local pilot demonstration project, or somewhere in between these two ends of the LHE project continuum. Equally important to success, however, is the institution’s readiness for LHE. Ensuring the successful launch of LHE requires establishing a supportive context for LHE to thrive, identifying the focal area(s) for implementing LHE initiatives, and establishing, training, and supporting LHE Project Teams.
