This document provides an overview of Lean principles and their origins. It discusses:
- 19th century origins in Time and Motion Study by Taylor and Gilbreth to improve efficiency
- Development of the Toyota Production System in 1948 to smooth production flow and reduce waste
- Six Sigma strategy from 1981 focusing on reducing defects and variability in processes
- Emergence of Lean in the 1990s focusing specifically on eliminating waste to improve efficiency
It then examines the seven types of waste and how to identify and remove non-value added steps and establish continuous flow to maximize value for the customer.