In recent times I have come across some private companiess who have been tying to implement a lean program into their business. Not one of them have done so successfully.

My experience convinces me that Lean is being oversold as a tool to solve many problems and to save thousands of dollars. The overall Toyota developed concept of Lean has many advantages, if you are a large organisation, and can devote the  amount of resources required to make it happen.

Too many underestimate the resources required and that nothing will happen if you do not address the people issues first. Focus on your people and create an environment that will embrace some the Lean principles. If you are a smaller organisation, start with 5s first and then slowly introduce other concepts such as seven wastes.

Finally lean is for the long term and is about changing people behaviour. This is the hard part and must be driven from the leadership and become pervasive through all the organisation.