Using Lean thinking, what should we primarily manage?

The primary focus of Lean thinking is on managing the value stream. This approach emphasizes optimizing the flow of value creation through all stages of production or service delivery. By managing the value stream, organizations aim to identify and eliminate waste, enhance efficiency, and continuously improve processes to deliver better value to customers.

In Lean methodology, understanding the value stream helps teams visualize how value flows from inputs to outputs, which enables them to pinpoint areas for improvement. It is about maximizing value while minimizing waste, ensuring that every step in the value stream contributes positively to the final output that customers receive.

While managing each step of the work, our people, and all potential outcomes are important aspects of overall management, Lean thinking distinctly prioritizes the value stream to ensure that resources are utilized effectively to create maximum value with minimal waste. This clear focus on value delivery is what defines the Lean approach and its effectiveness in achieving operational excellence.