Category 1: Lean Basics
This Lean philosophy focuses on creating more customer value while using fewer resources.
What is Lean?
This five-step method organizes a workspace through Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.
What is 5S?
This system uses visual cards or signals to control work and inventory based on demand.
What is Kanban?
This Japanese term means continuous improvement through small, ongoing changes.
What is Kaizen?
This term refers to any activity that consumes resources but does not add value for the customer.
What is waste, or muda?
In 5S, this step removes unnecessary items from the work area.
What is Sort?
This production approach makes only what is needed, when it is needed, and in the amount needed.
What is Just-in-Time?
This four-step improvement cycle stands for Plan, Do, Check, Act.
What is PDCA?
This Lean principle asks teams to identify what the customer actually values before improving the process.
What is value?
In 5S, this step arranges needed items so they are easy to find and use.
What is Set in Order?
This Lean concept means work is triggered by downstream demand instead of upstream schedules.
What is a pull system?
This problem-solving technique asks “why” repeatedly to identify the underlying cause of a problem.
What is the 5 Whys?
This Lean principle focuses on making work move smoothly from step to step without interruption.
What is flow?
This Lean approach uses signs, labels, colors, boards, or dashboards so process status is easy to understand at a glance.
What is visual management?
This term describes the pace of production needed to meet customer demand.
What is takt time?
This one-page Lean problem-solving format usually includes background, current condition, root cause, countermeasures, and follow-up.
What is an A3?