Lean Household

TWI Blog reader Darrint says: " I tried doing lean at home. It works well!"

See his blog post "Lean at Home" on his blog Willowbend. One of the things that struck me was how simple Lean Thinking can be applied by using the "opposite" paradox. A couple of examples:

• Instead of having a full refrigerator ALL the time, ensure it is empty just prior to your shopping day.
  

• Don't buy things on sale. Pay more for smaller items.

You can read Darrin's full list of how he applied lean to save money at this post. It's good!

A couple other examples of Lean skills/thinking in the household: my wife used Job Instruction to train my oldest son in how to make a proper place setting when setting the table for dinner. She never has to question if he does it right, just that he is doing it!

Incidentally, Lean thinking was first systematically applied in households many years ago by Lillian Gilbreth. Skilled in industrial engineering, time and motion study, she helped with the development of standards for the "triangles" used in kitchen design today. A triangle is used in the layout of the sink, refrigerator and cooking area.