The 5 principles of LEAN thinking outlined by Womack and Jones are :
- Specify what makes or what creates value for the customer
- Identify the value stream
- Promote the flow of streams
- Pull flows
- Striving for perfection
It seems to me that it lacks a 6th principle : 6. Thinking Sustainable development
Many will say that this principle is already built into the LEAN which aims among others the war on waste. In the 7 wastes, many may refer to sustainable development : defective parts, transportation, unnecessary movement.
About defective parts, obviously. Unless the company makes, the less waste of resources for it, but also for everyone. It respects the principle of natural resource management.
It could be the same in transport if it was taken in the whole of the supply chain. But in the LEAN, it is seen at workshop, or company. It is rarely studied globally with suppliers and customers. We can be in a LEAN approach with our suppliers yet to be supplied to the other side of the world ! We are not incorporating energy waste generated for transport. How many companies will provide very far, while in adopting a LEAN approach with its subcontractors, they could find closer and thus reduce transport and thus energy waste.
One definition of Sustainable Development is : Viable scheme that balances economic, social and ecological. LEAN in the company, integrates, I think the social aspects. In fact if we look at 14 of the Toyota Production System principles, it emerges the concept of training, accountability and respect for employees. The elimination of waste “useless movements” improve working conditions, and especially since the approach includes the participation of all employees. Some people will tell you that LEAN deteriorating working conditions, but it is a very objective and non-partisan view. Just read the article “The LEAN method, the return of the worst labor to the chain” appeared on the website Rue 89.
LEAN does not include the concept of working conditions at its suppliers. You are taken to improve working conditions in your factory, but not to control those of your subcontractors. You just ask them to respect the rules provided quality products and services. The proof is that, currently, in the consumer electronics industry, the working conditions of subcontractors of major brands are stigmatized (APPLE or DELL for example).
You can also be in a LEAN approach, and do not meet certain environmental requirements : Air polution or soil polution for example. This notion does not seem to appear in the 5 principles or in the first, if customers integrated in product value, environmental compliance. But is this the case for all consumers?
It is for these reasons that we can « To be LEAN but not CLEAN » and should add this 6th principle. This way, we could say that LEAN is get rid of everything that is useless, but also that the LEAN, is “Think Global and Act Local”.
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