Sustainment

9/14/10...The common thread regarding what I hear from those on the Lean Journey is sustainment. TBM, a trainer of Lean, comments that they can teach the same tools to two different companies and end up with totally opposite results. Why? Sustainment is a result, but the root causes are numerous. Sustainment is the number one problem facing those on the Lean Journey, even TBM acknowledges this fact.

If the goal is to achieve 100% with a Lean Journey, then I imagine most companies would fall along the bell shaped curve regarding where they are. Is there something that can increase the odds of success? I think so. If companies are on average 40-50% successful in their Lean Journey sustainment, I believe when the hearts and minds of those doing the work are engaged, this number can jump to 60-70%, on average. A few exceptions could push it higher. Why? Creating vested interest and creating ownership of the process are at the core, but there also has to be more than just this. Creating interest and ownership is critical, but if the heart and soul is not along for the ride, then we end up back at false motivation once again. We fail to remember what it used to be like. Therefore once we are engaged in the process and things are getting done, time passes, then later, we fail to remember. Then our emptiness once again overtakes us because the heart and soul were left out of the process. Once again, we face false motivation.

Deming was a pioneer in his thinking, but what I believe he left out was the soul. If somehow we can combine both, then the answer towards sustaining the Lean Journey begins to reveal itself. Then as new tools present themselves to open our eyes to waste, it no longer matters what we call the journey, because the ending point sustains the motivation. What do we do then when some embrace the soul, some ignore the soul, and some reject the soul? Do those who embrace the soul, even in their flawed walk, point to something greater, and in turn bring the others along. Just like the ant who finds something sweet. What would happen if those who embrace the soul fast on the behalf of others? What would God's response be?