The_Paradox_of_Lean__Why_the_Toyota_System_Works_Everywhere_But
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The_Paradox_of_Lean__Why_the_Toyota_System_Works_Everywhere_But
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About this listen
Introduction: The Enduring Puzzle of Lean Manufacturing
For decades, the Toyota Production System (TPS) has been the gold standard for operational excellence, driving remarkable success at companies like Toyota and Danaher. After its principles were globally popularized in the 1990 book The Machine that Changed the World, one would expect its widespread adoption. The book’s authors coined the term “lean manufacturing,” which quickly became synonymous with continuous improvement.
And yet, a puzzling question remains. In the United States alone, there are over 240,000 companies with 50 or more employees, but very few have successfully implemented TPS. Why does this proven system remain so elusive? The problem often begins with the name itself. Author James Womack later expressed regret over the term “lean manufacturing,” noting that it “misleads people into thinking TPS only applies to manufacturing operations.” In contrast, Jeffrey Liker intentionally titled his groundbreaking book The Toyota Way to emphasize that TPS is a comprehensive philosophy, not merely a set of techniques.
This fundamental misunderstanding is the key to the puzzle. Most organizations fail because they treat TPS as a set of tools to be layered onto their existing business model. In reality, it is a complete and integrated system built on a foundation that most leaders overlook entirely.
It's a Complete Economic System, Not a Toolbox
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