Transitioning to a Lean Enterprise: A Guide for Leaders, Volume I, Executive Overview

conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the core team members in their capacity as principal co-authors of this guide, and are not intended to reflect those of the Lean Aerospace Initiative, the sponsoring companies (individually or as a group), the U.S. Air Force, other federal government agencies, or MIT. The latter are absolved from any errors or shortcomings, for which the principal co-authors of this guide take full responsibility. This Transition-To-Lean Guide is intended to help your Enterprise Leadership navigate your Enterprise's challenging journey into the promising world of " Lean. " You have opened this guide because, in some fashion, you have come to realize that your Enterprise must undertake a fundamental transformation in how it sees the world, what it values, and the principles that will become its guiding lights if it is to prosper — or even survive — in this new era of " clock-speed " competition. However you may have been introduced to " Lean, " you have undertaken to benefit from its implementation. Take Heart! Others have blazed some of the trails that you will now traverse. They have left helpful guideposts that come from their experience and knowledge. Be Resolute! This journey is not for the weak of conviction. It will require extraordinary commitment, perseverance, and hard work. Be Brave! Not all the roads have been paved smooth for you. Much is still being learned, and you will undoubtedly add to the existing wealth of knowledge with your own learning and experimentation as you apply the foundational principles of " Lean thinking. " Be Filled with Hope! Enterprises before you that have adopted these " Lean " principles and practices are transforming themselves into efficient and relentless developers and producers of some of the finest products in the world! You can join them! Think of this Guide as a " Roadmap, " because it recognizes that this is a journey; that it has a starting point and a destination in mind; that there are many different ways that the final destination can be reached, that regardless of the route chosen there are milestones through which everyone must pass at some point; and that each Enterprise must ultimately choose the route that best serves its own circumstances. A warning: this journey never ends! Each destination you reach becomes the starting point for the next journey. This is the true essence of " Continuous …