LEAN QUALITY | LBCC 2.03

I believe that Lean Quality expands the mindset of traditional quality management systems. it’s more about how we solve problems rather than controlling or regulating the environment we are in. What’s your experience? Is there an application in our personal life?

The WHY: we are surrounded with opportunities to identify and fix problems. quality and quality systems impact almost everything we do in the world…From our workplaces to our families and personal relationships. So what type of quality system is best?

The WIIFM: If we are surrounded by opportunities to identify and fix problems, the quality of the solution we implemented directly impacts our personal and professional relationships. I believe, if we are able to appropriately identify the problem we are trying to solve, by using a lean mindset, we are able to successfully eliminate or reduce the impact of the storms (issues, problems or opportunities) we face.

my Advice: I don’t believe there is one right Quality Management System or methodology. Every problem or system is different. the culture of the Organization plays a large role in the type of solution chosen. we may not get it right in the beginning; and that’s okay. As the team progresses down the path of a Lean or continuous improvement journey, the culture will change and the solutions will get better and better. So, KEEP TRYING!

LEAN QUALITY: Like most things Lean, there isn’t one right way to think about it or structure it. The problem is when we don’t prioritize it or think about it at all. Quality efforts and control can still exist without a Lean methodology in place. But I would challenge that the Quality System is probably pretty “clunky and expensive” to maintain without Lean. Why? Because it’s all about the difference in the mindset of a lean organization versus a non-Lean organization.

• PERSONALLY: It might seem weird to think about a “Lean Quality Management System” in a personal setting. But they do exist. It most certainly isn’t formal and there are no regular audits. but think about how you measure the quality of a conversation, time, or someone that is “a quality human-being”. What determines the Quality of something in our personal lives? why do we use that word? we must be comparing it to something right? of Course we are! There is a moral code to pretty much everything we do. So we are constantly comparing situations, people, and experiences against our personal moral code. So what does this have to do with Lean Quality? If we have a Lean mindset, we are tend to look at the situation holistically. A lean mindset will still try to determine root cause, then compare to our personal moral code for and apply an appropriate countermeasure to establish “quality”.
• PROFESSIONALLY: I believe that Lean environments have an advantage over non-Lean environments in terms of culture change and inclusion. Having worked in both types of environments, I can say that I felt more heard, cared for, and had more opportunity in the Lean environments than I did in Non-Lean. I also feel like the Lean Environments encouraged good Quality Management. Issues, Problems, and opportunities have a harder time “hiding” in a Lean environment. Issues, problems, and even opportunities are scrutinized for root cause for proper solutions that would result in good quality. The Process is regularly compared to quality regulations, Metrics, and policies. processes are improved or requirements changed as new regulations or policies are instituted. These types of processes exist in Non-Lean environments too, yes, but the solution may not be addressing the root cause. Costing the company time, money, and resources…

There is no “magic solution” to establishing a great Quality Management System. All organizations have flaws and imperfections. But if our desire is to try, try, try and learn from those flaws and mistakes; we are headed in the right direction! That’s the Lean mindset needed for Lean Quality to exist. A Lean mindset teaches that failure is just an opportunity to learn and try again. Is there one right way to quality? Of course not! and the millions of published quality management books, consultants, and methodologies proves that. But if I were to chose one way or method to emulate, I would choose to follow a Lean Quality Management System. The mindset earned through process improvement and culture change really does change the individual and the systems they interact with.

If you or your organization are looking to develop or improve your Lean Quality, feel free to contact Leanbrella to learn more about your Culture Climate and Lean Journey. We would be more than happy to support you in your efforts…