LEAN - what is it?
 

So, anybody know what LEAN is all about?

Lean is simply the thought process, not a tool, you use to look at your business whether it is manufacturing, service or any other activity where you have a supplier and a customer/receiver.

The origins of Lean date back well before the twentieth century even though it wasn't called Lean. The word Lean came from a student at MIT while he was doing research to discover the differences between some Japanese carmakers and the traditional North American carmakers.

Its not about downsizing or saving money but mainly about becoming more efficient. It is very succesfull but does take time and energy to implement. It has been used extensively in the FAA and in the surface fleet.

The FAA you say? I remember them; didn't they fly Harriers at one time? Just how LEAN can you get - remove the aircraft become 'more efficient' :rolleyes:

I'd hate to think it was just another 'tool' for the bean-counters to cut us back while increasing the operational tempo.

If you read the postings on the Centralised Engineering at Lyneham Thread

LEAN = manpower cuts, low morale and total chaos.

Having witnessed it at first hand this seems like a fairly accurate definition:(

You think LEAN is bad?

Most bases are being collapsed forward, LEANed back and the latest I heard was being FISTed! (Future Integrated Support Team)

Sounds like a fishheads dream!!!!!!!!:ok: :ok: :ok:

LEAN isn't bad. LEAN is a great way to make your organisation more efficient. It doesn't save money (in fact it costs money) it doesn't make people redundant. It merely ensures that as you go about your daily business you are more efficient. Those of you who are cynical have clearly not had any exposure to or run a LEAN Roadmap.
Until LEAN came along I continually felty I was doing the work of 2 blokes. Now, with planning and thought I take every Friday afternoon off and rarely work beyond 4pm.

"Until LEAN came along I continually felty I was doing the work of 2 blokes. Now, with planning and thought I take every Friday afternoon off and rarely work beyond 4pm"

That'll be laurel and hardy :O

and you are in the RN - I claim my £5

Totalwar you do spout some utter cr@p

There is no way that the axing of 120 engineering posts at Lyneham at the same time as the implementation of LEAN is a coincidence.

LEAN = cuts.

Sounds like there is an adult out there that has done a 2-day course at Ashridge - and decided to implement LEAN MANUFACTURING (yes, it originates in manufacturing) to servicing aircraft.

Bet he gets promoted - regardless of success/failure.

(Gosh, I am so grumpy today - need a spin pill.)

You have to remember that the 120 jobs at Lyneham were jobs which were wasteful. People doing bugger all, all day long. So LEAN managed to make Lyneham more efficient and got rid of them.

I can think of one post at Yeovilton which should go RIGHT NOW!

''People doing bugger all, all day long....'' (except surf the net)

How LEAN is YOUR job TW?? Not very by the look of it !

:oh:

BEagle

I agree, and would be more than happy to be the one announcing it!

Totalwar,

on what do you base the following?

I would suggest you back up this statement, or retract it. If I was one of the 120 I would not be impressed with your sweeping assumption. Let me put it to you another way, imagine if I posted this:

'RN Pinger fleet scrapped as there is no credible sub-surface threat. 2000 Sailors made redundant because they were doing bugger all, all day long.'

Emotive, isn't it?

Or even better how about.....

RN Pinger fleet scrapped as there are no serviceable aircraft. 30 aircraft mothballed and 50 aircrew made redundant.

At least the pinger snag isn't their problem.

Why do you lot fall for it everytime:rolleyes:

totalw"ank"er comes in here and starts a row and you all take the bait:rolleyes:

If you ignore his ill informed post's and simply discuss around him he will, like all children do, get bored and simply go away:ok:

Back to the thread then.......

LEAN = cuts = cost saving = some senior feckwits promotion......not a difficult concept to grasp:rolleyes:

all spelling mistakes are "df" alcohol induced

Maple01 priceless mate, the boss just stuck his head round door to see what i was laughing about, thinking on the feet required, agh well back to work.

BootFlat

Please be my best mate.

I love your thoughts.

LEAN doesnt mean cost cutting at all. In my last job a LEAN roadmap suggested we didn't have enough people and following the report we employed 2 more guys to help.

LEAN is about efficiency. If your work place is inefficient then the LEAN process will help it achieve efficiency. If that means spennding money to become more time efficient then so be it. Or if it means employing more people to improve the units efficieny then great. It also works both ways and if your unit can be made more efficient by sacking people then they are clearly excess and are not required on the voyage.

I was at Lyneham during the Process to cut 120 jobs and I have to say that Lyneham today is a lot better and works a lot better without them.
Food's also a lot better since we got rid of that malingerer

I remember an army major many years ago - he was quite surprised when I suggested that he had a really easy job if he could play golf every day. He told me something I will always remember - "Trouble with you air force types is that you are always so busy. If we go to war how will you find the time? - all I'll have to do is give up golf"!

If LEAN means giving up golf then we won't have time to fight a war.