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Lean Satisfaction Survey Results
Posted by Stephen A. Ruffa at 3:05 pm, May 22nd 2009.
A few weeks ago I posted a "lean satisfaction survey" on my website and asked for your participation. The purpose was to get a better sense of how "lean" is perceived--to see if respondents either supported or refuted the informal feedback I received that there is a growing frustration with the direction of lean efforts today.
The results, I must say, are very interesting--they are strikingly consistent with the feedback that prompted this survey.
The survey feedback further supported the indication that a substantial split exists between the satisfaction of those who lead lean efforts and those within the workforce. Leaders were more than twice as often comfortable with the direction of these efforts--but still only 44% felt that they were on the right course. In contrast, only slightly more than 18% indicated a positive sentiment (with half indicating outright dissatisfaction).
Equally interesting was the reported emphasis of their lean efforts. Most focused on improving standardization and workplace organization (41%). Next was improving the flow of activities and information (29%), followed by reduction of visible waste (18%), and finally addressing uncertainty and promoting innovation (12%).
There are a number of likely reasons for such a disconnect in satisfaction (many of which are described in my book, Going Lean). Perhaps individuals became frustrated with their focus on "housekeeping," as many individuals have complained to me; organizations' focus on visible problems can create an environment where individuals do not get to see the deeper benefits of lean (along with other issues.)
What is particularly surprising, however, is that the results were not more positive in light of the fact that manufacturers and consultants were so well represented--their response was tied, together making up about 70% of the total. It seems that manufacturing should be the most straightforward application, since this is where lean started (with the consultants presumably supporting their efforts).
Tagged as: lean, lean manufacturing
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Posted by Stephen A. Ruffa at 3:05 pm, May 22nd 2009.
A few weeks ago I posted a "lean satisfaction survey" on my website and asked for your participation. The purpose was to get a better sense of how "lean" is perceived--to see if respondents either supported or refuted the informal feedback I received that there is a growing frustration with the direction of lean efforts today.
The results, I must say, are very interesting--they are strikingly consistent with the feedback that prompted this survey.
The survey feedback further supported the indication that a substantial split exists between the satisfaction of those who lead lean efforts and those within the workforce. Leaders were more than twice as often comfortable with the direction of these efforts--but still only 44% felt that they were on the right course. In contrast, only slightly more than 18% indicated a positive sentiment (with half indicating outright dissatisfaction).
Equally interesting was the reported emphasis of their lean efforts. Most focused on improving standardization and workplace organization (41%). Next was improving the flow of activities and information (29%), followed by reduction of visible waste (18%), and finally addressing uncertainty and promoting innovation (12%).
There are a number of likely reasons for such a disconnect in satisfaction (many of which are described in my book, Going Lean). Perhaps individuals became frustrated with their focus on "housekeeping," as many individuals have complained to me; organizations' focus on visible problems can create an environment where individuals do not get to see the deeper benefits of lean (along with other issues.)
What is particularly surprising, however, is that the results were not more positive in light of the fact that manufacturers and consultants were so well represented--their response was tied, together making up about 70% of the total. It seems that manufacturing should be the most straightforward application, since this is where lean started (with the consultants presumably supporting their efforts).
Tagged as: lean, lean manufacturing
Comments | Make a comment