Lean Manufacturing at Home. How can we make our life easier?

In the late 40’s of the last century Japanese industrial engineer Taiichi Ohno developed and implemented in Toyota Plant principles of what later has become Lean Manufacturing system. In simple words Lean Manufacturing is a systematic method of excluding all unnecessary activities and wastes from production process, which are not adding values to the final product.

Even though this system is widely used in various industries it can be successfully applied to households and helps for example organizing cabinets in the kitchen or tools in your garage, which will be a time- and energy saving for you. One of Lean manufacturing concept, which leads to a clean and orderly workplace, is 5S methodology. Here are 5S principles:

1. Sort – Put things in order. Remove what is not needed
2. Set in Order – Arrange things in way they can be easily access
3. Shine – Keep things clean and in its right place
4. Standardize – Make cleaning and maintaining a regular routine
5. Sustain – Commit to maintaining this standard of cleanliness and order

And now some examples of how you can implement these principles in your everyday use:

Minimize movement and transportation. In Lean management, waste is not just inefficiently spent money or tasks, but also movement. There’s a number of ways to apply this principal at home, such as combining separate small shop visits into a single car trip to supermarket and the hardware store close by. Not only does it save your time, but also gasoline.

Rearrange things. In your kitchen you can reorganize space in cabinets to optimize cooking process. For instance plates and cups which you use everyday can be moved to the lower shelves and big cooking bowls on the top or in the separate cabinet. In the wardrobe try to use visual management to organize and label boxes with pictures of what’s inside.

Reduce Inventory. When do shopping buy only items you need for the upcoming days or maximum week. Avoid buying extra-large package of ketchup or soap to last for several years - based on lean principles, by buying such large quantities of “inventory,” you’re spending tomorrow’s money today.

Eliminate Work in Progress. Just like on production plants, it’s a good idea to reduce the amount of work in progress you have at home. So avoid having several half-finished tasks on the go at once. For example complete your laundry first and then go shopping or repair your bike.

Lean manufacturing is not a permanent state, but a way of life. Remember there are always things that can be improved…