The Journey to Lean and Agile

When you search Google for images using the keyword "Agility", Google returns tons of pictures like the one at the left.

Lots of dogs running through obstacle courses. The other general image is of athletes running a tire drill.

What the search doesn't return are pictures of businesses or processes.

Perhaps it's difficult to convey the concept of an agile process or an agile business in an image.

Or perhaps, examples are difficult to find.

I'm currently doing some work for a family owned manufacturing company who want to investigate lean manufacturing. Like every business that has contemplated change, the potential rewards (less waste, faster processes, less process cost) will be challenged by past success (always been profitable) and a stable long term workforce, who have always done things the same way.

It's a classic struggle - one that EVERY company goes through.

Judging by the fully booked schedules of the Lean Process consulting companies, our company is not alone in the desire to be lean.

(Aside: If you're a consulting company who claims to be an expert in Lean Processes and can't find a way to return a customer call, perhaps your processes need improving?)

The journey will be exciting, scary and hopefully beneficial. Over the course of the next few months I'll document our progress, challenges and successes and perhaps we can share learning experiences along the way.