(See below for the best Lean management books.)
Lean Management Systems: Beyond Tools
Any organization can apply Lean tools and Lean thinking in spots to yield short-term results; long-term Lean success requires the engagement of everyone in the daily practice of continuous improvement. No small task!
This is why truly Lean organizations know the importance of a Lean management system – one that emphasizes the core principles of ‘Respect for People‘ and ‘Continuous Improvement’ – to drive sustained results for the long-term.
When it comes to books on Lean management, there is good news and there is bad news. The good news is that there are many excellent texts available written by the true Lean experts that can help any organization improve their system of management. The bad news . . . for every one trustworthy source on the topic there are a dozen Lean management books that miss the mark completely.
How can you know for sure which Lean management books add value and which are pure waste? Simply read on!
Lean Management Books: The Best of the Best
The 6 books above all provide broad coverage of the key elements of a Lean management system, as well as a deep understanding of core Lean values and principles. However, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach that works for every organization, each text provides a different lens on Lean management that can help you to construct a system that fits your particular organization. If I had just one book to recommend on the topic, it would be Mike Rother‘s Toyota Kata for its practicality and applicability to nearly any situation.
Lean Management Books: The Best of the Rest
Of particular note here is Taiichi Ohno’s Workplace Management, which contains some of the best advice on Lean management from one of the developers of the Toyota Production System, but stops short of providing a holistic discussion of the topic.