Next-generation Lean: Letting go of what Lean has become so Lean can become what it should be

April 2010
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This PwC Whitepaper explores the next generation of Lean to achieve growth and increase value for customers while using fewer resources.

At a glance

Lean has evolved into an inter-industry practice appropriate for any company that seeks to re-invent its workflow and unleash a profound transformation in business processes. Organizations that successfully implement Lean to its full maturity will benefit from increased sales and a closer connection with customers.

A Lean approach to process improvement is nothing new. Automobile and other discrete product manufacturers have employed Lean to successfully increase productivity, eliminate waste, and boost customer satisfaction for more than 50 years. Further, Lean is no longer constrained to the manufacturing floor. It has evolved into an inter-industry practice appropriate for any company that seeks to re-invent its workflow and unleash a profound transformation in business processes. Organizations that successfully implement Lean to its full maturity will benefit from increased sales and a closer connection with customers. As companies become better attuned to the voice of their customers, they can dramatically shorten the time to market for new products and improve the profitability of these products.