Efficiency, waste reduction, and continuous improvement – these are the hallmarks of Lean Thinking, a powerful methodology that can transform organisations. As 2025 approaches, many businesses are looking at ways they can prepare themselves for the improved market conditions and are considering embarking on their Lean journey to achieve this. 

But before you dive headfirst into process optimisation, a few 5S blitzes and the overuse of post-it notes, there are just a few things you can do this side of Christmas that will help start that continuous improvement culture change within your team.

So we have decided to make this really easy and guide you on how to prepare your team to kickstart your Lean journey in 2025.

Building the Foundation: Understanding Lean principles

1. Awareness & Education:

Start by demystifying Lean for your team. In a few of the meetings you have left this year, begin to introduce core Lean principles like customer value, waste identification (8 wastes of lean), and continuous improvement (Kaizen). Utilise online resources like youtube to watch a few videos on great examples. Encourage open discussions on how these principles can be applied to your specific work environment.

2. Shift the Mindset:

The core of Lean lies in fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Encourage your team to view their work through a critical lens. Challenge them to ask: "Is this activity adding value for our customers?" or even better “how can you make this easier for you” This shift fosters a problem-solving mentality, where identifying and tackling inefficiencies becomes a focus for the team.

Developing the Tools: Learning Lean Practices

3. Map out the work:

Have a go at completing a value stream map (VSM) – a visual tool to identify and analyse the flow of work and information within a process. VSMing helps pinpoint non-value-adding activities (waste) like waiting times, unnecessary transportation, and overproduction. By learning VSM, your team can actively identify areas for improvement and visualise the desired future state. We would even suggest a LEGO Serious Play session to help with that!!

4. Standardised Work:

Introduce the concept of standardised work – creating documented and optimised procedures for repeatable tasks. This ensures consistency, reduces errors, and frees up valuable time for more complex problem-solving.

5. 5S Methodology:

Implementing the 5S methodology (Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardise, Sustain) can be a powerful starting point. This workplace organisation system promotes cleanliness, efficiency, and a sense of ownership. By learning to organise their work areas effectively, your team lays the groundwork for streamlined processes.

Building the Ecosystem: Fostering Collaboration and Support

6. Team Building Activities:

Cultivate a collaborative and supportive environment. Organise team-building exercises that encourage open communication and problem-solving. Consider cross-departmental discussions to gain a broader understanding of your value chain and identify interdependencies.

7. Empower Employees:

Lean thrives on employee engagement. Empower your team members to take ownership of their work and propose improvement ideas. Give them time to start fixing the issues in their work that create the biggest frustrations. Recognise and reward successes to foster a sense of accomplishment and motivate continuous improvement.

8. Leadership Buy-In:

Senior leadership support is crucial for the success of any Lean initiative. Ensure your management team understands and champions the principles behind Lean. Leaders should actively participate in training sessions, demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement, and provide resources for implementation.

9. Celebrate Milestones:

Track progress and celebrate achievements along the way. This could involve recognizing specific waste reduction initiatives or efficiency improvements. Celebrating milestones keeps your team motivated and highlights the value of their efforts.

10. Continuous Learning:

Lean is a continuous journey, not a destination. Encourage your team to constantly seek out resources for learning more about Lean principles and best practices. Maybe read or listen to a book over the summer break. Let the team come up with ideas while they are lying in the sun, catching that elusive snapper or hitting the hole in one.  Once they come back, they are one step ahead with a list of awesome ideas!!

By taking these steps in 2024, you can prepare your team for a successful Lean journey in 2025. Remember, the key to success lies in building a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and a shared passion for improvement. Let 2025 be the year your team embraces Lean and unlocks a new level of success!