One of the key elements for a successful continuous improvement implementation is to use the right tools for the job. Lean has a wide variety of tools to choose from. You do not have to use all of them, but you should know which ones are available. You should be able to choose the right one as per your needs. Identify which tools make sense for your operation is an early step in the continuous improvement implementation.
What I am presenting below is a guide to know which tool is useful for each occasion. Keep in mind that some of them are good for more than one scenario. Also, it is possible to use more than one tool for a specific situation.
Tools for each job
Choose the right tools for you
Design a toolbox with the tools you will need to support the lean implementation journey. Learn how to use them, teach your team, and together use them to transform your operation. While you do that, take in mind the following.
1. The purpose of using these tools is not just to improve the operation. The most important part is to create a learning environment where exploring new solutions in a control testing structure is a way to develop your team skills and allow them to use their creativity and expertise to improve their processes.
2. Lean is a system and not a tools supermarket. What makes it good is not the effectiveness of individual tools, but the synergy between them to achieve the goal.