Lean Production Simplified: A Plain-Language Guide to the World's Most Powerful Production System [Paperback]

Pascal Dennis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1563272628 | ISBN-13: 978-1563272622 | Publication Date: August 30, 2002

2006 SHINGO PRIZE for EXCELLENCE in MANUFACTURING RESEARCH

Lean Production Simplified is a plain language guide to the lean production system written for the practitioner by a practitioner. It delivers a comprehensive "insider's" view of lean manufacturing. The author helps the reader to grasp the system as a whole and the factors that animate it by organizing the book around an image of a "house of lean production."

Highlights include:

• An comprehensive view of Toyota's lean manufacturing system
• A look at the origins and underlying principles of lean
• Identifying the goals of lean production
• Practical problem solving for lean production
• Activities that support involvement - Kaizen circles, suggestion systems, and problem solving

  Lean Production Simplified covers each of the components of lean within the context of the entire lean production system. The author's straightforward common sense approach makes this book an easily accessible "on the floor" resource for every operator.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book is just too important! In this age of global competition threatening to annihilate all but the very leanest, Pascal Dennis masterwork, Lean Production Simplified — A Plain-Language Guide to the Worlds Most Powerful Production System, is a must-read. Midway through my career, after working at five, large North American manufacturing companies, its absolutely crystal clear that the three which died would have survived if only theyd known of and successfully implemented The Toyota Production System. Dennis is clearly North Americas Ohno-san!

Michael A.J. Davis, Executive VP, Waterville TG Inc. 06/01/04

Lean Production Simplified is both enlightening and informative for all levels of lean learners. It is written from a very human perspective. Many prior publications focus on the lean bag of tools or the softer cultural aspects of lean. Dennis contribution is a well integrated blend of both giving the reader not only a systemic understanding of lean, but also the clear skill development required for leadership at all levels. Wherever you are on your journey to lean, Lean Production Simplified will provide further knowledge and insight to help achieve the next level on the eternal path to perfection.

Anne Stevens, VP, North America Vehicle Operations, Ford Motor Company 06/01/04

From the Publisher

IN STOCK! --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Productivity Press (August 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563272628
• ISBN-13: 978-1563272622
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #374,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #90 in Books > Business & Investing > Skills > Office Automation

More About the Author

Pascal Dennis is a professional engineer, author, and President of Lean Pathways Inc., an international consultancy.

Pascal developed his management skills at Toyota and has worked with leading senseis in North America and Japan. Winner of four Shingo Prizes for Excellence, Pascal's latest book is The Remedy -- Bringing Lean Out of the Factory to Transform the Entire Organization (Wiley, New York 2010).

Pascal grew up in a Greek restaurant in downtown Toronto -- The Imperial Grill -- which often figures in his books.

Pascal studied Aikido for fifteen years and was an instructor at Toronto Aikikai. He plays guitar & piano and has been a member of several dreadful bands.

Pascal lives in Toronto with his wife, Pamela, and three children.

Website: www.leansystems.org

Twitter: http://feeds.feedburner.com/Twitter/Leanpathways

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Better Introduction to the Tools of Lean, April 28, 2005

By 

Ask Doctor Lean (Cleveland, Ohio) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lean Production Simplified: A Plain-Language Guide to the World's Most Powerful Production System (Paperback)

I have been a Lean Practitioner for over twenty years and have had the privilege of learning from some of the original teachers of Lean in the United States. "Lean Production Simplified" is simply the BEST introduction to the Toyota Production System and to LEAN Tools that exists today. If you have any responsibility for leading or implementing LEAN in your organization, this would be required reading. Lean Production Simplified is an excellent investment of your time and money.

If you are a company owner or President, I would recommend you start with "The Toyota Way to Healthcare Excellence", by John R Black (or his nonhealthcare text, "Lean Production"). To read the first CHAPTER of this book, perform an Internet search using the search terms: "open letter to healthcare executives John Black" and read the resulting pdf file.

Beyond that, find a real lean "sensei". AVOID using a consultant just because he is near your location. There are still only a handful (literally) of Lean practitioners who really kow what they are doing here in America. Also don't be fooled by those universities who have put their otherwise good name on a group of people (Lean charlatans) who really can offer you nothing of value except a great looking "certificate".

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for beginner, March 3, 2004

By 

ADG (ND,USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lean Production Simplified: A Plain-Language Guide to the World's Most Powerful Production System (Paperback)

This is a very good introductory book. All components of lean manufacturing system have been explained. More importantly, the language is very simple and easy to understand. The sample templates are great. One aspect, I would like to see is the cost concept. Particularly, how an established factory can be transformed to lean system with respect to cell concept and layout change. The author has written about the cost benefit of lean system, however, no supporting evidence has been provided. But overall, this book is great.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple explanation of the Toyota Production System, March 1, 2005

By 

Rose Press - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lean Production Simplified: A Plain-Language Guide to the World's Most Powerful Production System (Paperback)

I'll keep this book on my desk and make sure that it is part of changing the culture here. Thanks for making it easy to understand the whole sytem, instead of just some of the pieces.