Introducing the Lean Philosophy through Lean Games

In simple terms, the main goal of the Lean philosophy is to eliminate waste with the goal of creating value. According to the Lean philosophy, there are seven wastes in the context of production. These wastes are overproduction, downtime or waiting, transporting, inappropriate processing, unnecessary inventory, excess motion and defects. On the other hand, value simply denotes the opposite, or the product. The Lean philosophy yields a number of improvements and benefits through effective implementation of its practices. Lean philosophy improves and benefits not only the business owner, but also its employees, its clients, and the environment. While its originally meant to improve manufacturing or production, it is now being applied in a host of other industries such as healthcare, administration and IT or software development. This proves that Lean practices result to highly beneficial effects to almost anything or anyone, as long as it is implemented properly and if its implementation is sustained. These are the costs of Lean philosophy—implementation and maintenance. In order to be implemented properly, Lean must first be taught properly. Most companies and practitioners utilize the more interactive method of using Lean games and simulation within the training presentation. Presentations now offer extensions for games and simulation with their product. These games and simulations offer a fun and more effective way of learning by allowing participants to completely and confidently engage with the lessons and decision-making exercises without the risks and repercussions of committing actual mistakes. Teaching or training employees towards Lean awareness and use is the trickiest part of the process. This is because your employees will depend mostly on what they have absorbed from the training process once they get to the floor, and then eventually on personal experience. This is why it is still best to use Lean games and simulation, since they can freely make mistakes and learn from them there and not in the actual workplace. Simulation through the use of Lean games and case studies may be the best way there is so far in teaching proper Lean implementation without the actual risks. And like the philosophy itself, it reduces wastes by eliminating potential risks and increasing value, which in this context denotes learning.