Incorporating the management of the supply chain into the Lean transformation is an all-too common – not to mention an all-too costly – oversight for organizations beginning the journey. Unfortunately, the literature on supply-chain specific Lean application is a bit . . . lacking. As a result, the search for trustworthy resources on the topic can be difficult and time-consuming.
If you are a supply chain professional that is new to the world of Lean thinking, I would not start with any of the books below. My suggestion would be to first pick-up a book that better explains the underlying principles of lean systems (as found in the Books for Beginners section of the Lean Book Shop) before researching further any supply-chain specific application.
As far as books dedicated to the discussion of Lean in supply chain management and logistics, I’ve separated the available books into the two groups below.
The Best in Supply Chain Management
The books below provide generally dependable overviews on the application of Lean principles to supply chain management. Building a Lean Fulfillment Stream provides is a solid resource for the novice, while Professor Monden’s Lean Management of Global Supply Chain provides a more technical discussion for the advanced practitioner. LEAN Supply Chain Planning is more supply-chain-focused than it is lean-focused, but provides a unique perspective on the challenges and approaches for creating a Lean supply chain.
The Rest in Supply Chain Management
The books below may provide unique and valuable points when it comes to Lean in supply chain management, but may have deficiencies in the broader discussions on the topics. The books below would be best suited for more advanced Lean thinkers who already have a well-developed understanding of the principles of Lean and supply chain management.
