Going Lean: How the Best Companies Apply Lean Manufacturing Principles to Shatter Uncertainty, Drive Innovation

"Going Lean" sets aside the notion that efficient operations and powerful innovations are only possible when business is steady and demand is growing. Instead, companies must learn that disruption and loss are the price to be paid to remain competitive. Following the lead of a new breed of companies - Toyota, Wal-Mart, and Southwest Airlines - the new, powerful - yet unexpected mindset is that chaos should be the norm. By using "Lean Dynamics" - based on the now-famous Toyota Production System - success can be the outcome.

Table of Contents:
Contents Permissionsvii Acknowledgmentsix Introduction: Solving the Mystery of Success1 PART IFROM CRISIS TO EXCELLENCE9 1Awash in Chaos!11 2Shattering the Illusion of Stability29 3Creating a Roadmap for Change 46 4A New System of Management64 PART IITHE FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS79 5Leading through Measurement 81 6From Supply Chains to Value Streams102 7Leveling Process Variation123 8To Push or to Pull?145 PART IIIIMPLEMENTING LEAN DYNAMICS163 9A Plan for Action165 10Structuring the Transformation182 11Making Lean Dynamics Succeed196 12Conquering the Crisis205 Appendix: Constructing the Value Curve213 Glossary219 Notes227 Index257 About the Author265

About the Author :
Stephen A. Ruffa is an engineer who worked for the American Defense Department and researched lean manufacturing across seventeen large aerospace producers. His previous book, Breaking the Cost Barrier: A Proven Approach to Managing and Implementing Lean Manufacturing was awarded the 2001 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing Research.

Review :
"Stephen Ruffa's new book titled, "Going Lean," is very timely. In this time of the economic crisis when recession has plagued the world's economic arena, Going Lean teaches us how to live and adapt with change...This book is a must read." -- Sixsigma.com ."..should be read by manufacturing executives and their staffs...shows how to introduce innovation during downturns, strive for perfection and deliver excellent performance." Quality Progress ."..unique and important insights into entering and sustaining--forever--a lean journey of waste reduction and continuous improvement..." -- Cutting Tool Engineering "In this extremely well-written book... useful resource for those interested in operations management, business policy, and related topics." -- Choice "Stephen Ruffa's new book titled, "Going Lean", is very timely. In this time of the economic crisis when recession has plagued the world's economic arena, Going Lean teaches us how to live and adapt with change...This book is a must read." -- Sixsigma.com “…should be read by manufacturing executives and their staffs…shows how to introduce innovation during downturns, strive for perfection and deliver excellent performance.” Quality Progress “…unique and important insights into entering and sustaining—forever—a lean journey of waste reduction and continuous improvement…” -- Cutting Tool Engineering “In this extremely well-written book… useful resource for those interested in operations management, business policy, and related topics." -- Choice “In GOING LEAN, Stephen A. Ruffa spotlights examples from the automotive, airline, and retail industries, offering potent lessons on how companies drive innovation, promote sustainability and create value in the face of uncertainty. The backbone of the book lies in the well-thumbed ideologies of the Toyota Production System.” -- T & D magazine “Stephen Ruffa’s new book titled, "Going Lean", is very timely. In this time of the economic crisis when recession has plagued the world’s economic arena, Going Lean teaches us how to live and adapt with change...This book is a must read.” -- Sixsigma.com "With excellent timing, considering recent events in the global economy, this book demonstrates how companies can use lean principles to help them steer through tough times. Using examples from successful companies that survived crises such as 9/11 and the resulting economic downturn, as well as the oil crisis of 1980s, Ruffa shows how the techniques those companies used can be employed to help weather a crisis." -- Houston Business Journal ..".should be read by manufacturing executives and their staffs...shows how to introduce innovation during downturns, strive for perfection and deliver excellent performance." Quality Progress ..".unique and important insights into entering and sustaining--forever--a lean journey of waste reduction and continuous improvement..." -- Cutting Tool Engineering "In this extremely well-written book... useful resource for those interested in operations management, business policy, and related topics." -- Choice "In GOING LEAN, Stephen A. Ruffa spotlights examples from the automotive, airline, and retail industries, offering potent lessons on how companies drive innovation, promote sustainability and create value in the face of uncertainty. The backbone of the book lies in the well-thumbed ideologies of the Toyota Production System." -- T & D magazine "Stephen Ruffa's new book titled, Going Lean, is very timely. In this time of the economic crisis when recession has plagued the world's economic arena, Going Lean teaches us how to live and adapt with change...This book is a must read." -- Sixsigma.com "With excellent timing, considering recent events in the global economy, this book demonstrates how companies can use lean principles to help them steer through tough times. Using examples from successful companies that survived crises such as 9/11 and the resulting economic downturn, as well as the oil crisis of 1980s, Ruffa shows how the techniques those companies used can be employed to help weather a crisis." -- Houston Business Journal