In an increasingly competitive environment, lean management has become an approach that enables organizations to eliminate waste, optimize processes, and enhance value for customers. Originating from the Toyota Production System, lean is now widely applied across sectors\u2014from manufacturing to services\u2014as an operational philosophy oriented toward efficiency and sustainability.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Lean is a management and work organization method aimed at optimizing effectiveness and minimizing waste. Lean originated from the Toyota Production System in Japan during the 1950s and 1960s, developed by Taiichi Ohno and Eiji Toyoda, with a focus on increasing customer value through the elimination of non-value-adding activities in production processes.<\/span><\/p>\n Lean is a systematic methodological framework intended to improve processes by identifying and eliminating elements that do not create value\u2014not only in manufacturing but across all organizational activities. The core of lean lies in focusing on value as perceived by the customer, with objectives including quality improvement, cycle time reduction, cost reduction, and continuous improvement.<\/span><\/p>\n Lean is not merely a method but a comprehensive management philosophy that encourages the participation of all employees\u2014from leadership to operators\u2014in the pursuit of continuous improvement.<\/span><\/p>\n The lean philosophy originates from the Toyota Production System (TPS), developed after World War II by Taiichi Ohno and Eiji Toyoda. TPS was created with the objective of eliminating waste and optimizing performance in automobile manufacturing, based on key principles such as Just-In-Time production and Jidoka (automation with a human focus). Through the application of TPS, Toyota rapidly became a global reference for operational efficiency and quality.<\/span><\/p>\n Over several decades, lean has extended beyond manufacturing and has been applied in services, healthcare, technology, education, and public administration, becoming a widely adopted management philosophy for comprehensive organizational performance improvement.<\/span><\/p>\n According to surveys by the Lean Enterprise Institute, organizations applying lean can reduce operating costs by up to 25\u201340%, shorten production cycle times by 30\u201350%, and increase average labor productivity by 20\u201330% within 1\u20132 years of implementation. In Viet Nam, organizations such as Vinamilk, THACO, Samsung, and FPT Software have recorded clear improvements after applying lean, including reductions in product defects, optimization of production lines, and improvements in customer satisfaction.<\/span><\/p>\n These data indicate that lean is not merely a management trend but a foundational approach that supports organizations in maintaining competitive advantage in the digital era. Lean contributes to waste reduction, performance improvement, quality enhancement, and the promotion of a culture of continuous improvement\u2014key determinants of sustainable organizational development.<\/span><\/p>\n The lean philosophy is based on five fundamental principles that guide improvement activities and efficient operations:<\/span><\/p>\n The focus of lean is the identification and elimination of all forms of waste in processes to deliver real value to customers. There are eight common types of waste that organizations should address:<\/span><\/p>\n Understanding and eliminating these eight wastes forms the basis for streamlined, effective, and flexible operations.<\/span><\/p>\n Lean is not only a philosophy but is also operationalized through a system of practical tools that support effective implementation:<\/span><\/p>\n Lean is applicable to most types of organizations seeking to optimize processes and improve operational performance. In manufacturing sectors such as automotive, textiles, and food processing, lean helps reduce defects, inventory, and costs. Service organizations such as banks, logistics providers, and retailers can apply lean to shorten processing times and enhance customer experience. Technology companies and start-ups use lean to enable rapid experimentation and continuous product improvement. Healthcare, education, and public administration organizations can also apply lean to reduce administrative complexity and improve service efficiency. In general, lean is an effective approach for any organization aiming to operate in a streamlined and sustainable manner.<\/span><\/p>\n Lean not only supports cost reduction but also changes organizational thinking and operational practices. Key benefits include:<\/span><\/p>\n Lean is not only a management method but a streamlined operational mindset in which all individuals work toward creating real value and eliminating waste. In the context of digital transformation, lean serves as a key approach for Vietnamese organizations\u2014across manufacturing and services\u2014to optimize resources, improve productivity, and achieve sustainable development. Regardless of organizational size, any organization with a commitment to improvement and process streamlining can begin its lean journey.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":2102,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","danh_muc_dich_vu":[49],"class_list":["post-1667","dich-vu","type-dich-vu","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","danh_muc_dich_vu-consulting-on-improvement-tools"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"What is lean? Origin and background of lean<\/b><\/h3>\n
Concept of lean<\/b><\/h4>\n
Origin of lean: From Toyota to global application<\/b><\/h3>\n
Importance of lean in modern organizations<\/b><\/h3>\n
Five core lean principles supporting streamlined operations<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Identification and elimination of eight fundamental wastes in lean<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Common lean tools<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Which organizations should apply lean?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Benefits of lean when applied in organizations<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Conclusion<\/b><\/h3>\n