Characteristics of lean manufacturing
Lean manufacturing or lean production , often simply " lean ", is a systemic method for the elimination of waste (" Muda" ) within a manufacturing process. Lean manufacturing is a production practice that considers the expenditure of resources for any goal other than the creation of value for the end customer to be wasteful, and thus a target for elimination. Working from the perspective of the customer who consumes a product or service. It gives values for processes that a customer would be willing to pay for.
Characteristics:
1. Lean manufacturing minimizes production buffer.
2. Rapid machine set ups to permit small production runs by reducing changeover times
3. Use of work teams on the production lines.
4. Extensive training to develop multi skilled workers
5. Job rotation to facilitate on-the-job learning of multiple tasks and skills. Off-line problem solving or quality circlr groups that involve employees in improvement activities.