As you well know, the basic practice of LEAN is about waste elimination or reduction. All of our tools in the Lean toolbox do one of two things: either make waste visible OR help to eliminate or mitigate the waste.
Technically, there are several books that helped me learn to apply LEAN methodology. I’d like to share some of that material with you.
Beginner:
Basic Knowledge about Lean, Six Sigma, DMAIC, and PDCA:
The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook by Michael L. George and David Rowlands
Value Stream Mapping technique:
Learning to See: Value Stream Mapping to Add Value and Eliminate MUDA by Mike Rother & John Shook
Intermediate:
Visual Management:
Work that makes sense. Operator-Led Visuality by Gwendolyn Galsworth
Personal Kanban by Jim Benson & Tonianne DeMaria Barry
Advanced:
Takt Time Analysis & Process Design:
Toyota Kata Managing People for Improvement, Adaptiveness, and Superior Results by Mike Rother (a segment on Takt time analysis is found in the Appendix)
The Quantum Leap. In Speed to Market by John R. Costanza (This is an extremely important book for the Lean practitioner. It is no longer in print. If you have a copy, keep it and read it!).
Everything ALFO 