Customer Reviews

Lean Transformation: How to Change Your Business into a Lean Enterprise

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Lean Transformation is an informative yet easy-to-read guide for companies wishing to transform themselves into lean manufacturers. Authored by Bruce Henderson, CEO Invensys Controls and Jorge Larco, a leading manufacturing consultant, the book addresses topics ranging from cultural issues to mapping for continuous flow, to right-sizing machinery and quick set-up, to kanban and material handling to spreading the transformation from final assembly throughout the entire organization. Readers will learn from the experiences of Toyota, Dell Computers and others, while benefiting from the charts, diagrams and step-by-step instructions provided in the book. A must-read for any and all companies wanting to lead in the next millennium.

This book will be an excellent read for both the experienced lean warrior and those new to the subject. Henderson has clearly been through many lean implementations, for his words of caution in Part I of this book could not be more accurate. Also of specific interest is a section near the end of the book on financial measurements for lean - very interesting. This would be a great book for a lean champion in any company to put on the required reading list.

I think that everyone interested in Lean is already convinced that Lean adds value. Therefore I found it annoying that the book is pushing on or selling Lean. This book is good for managers needing good coverage of the arguments and issues in lean. Although the subtitle of the book is "How to Change Your Business Into a Lean Enterprise", this is not really a how-to manual - there is no explanation of how to map value streams, implement 5S, TPM, or implement any other of the Lean techniques. Rather the book is giving an overview perspective of the issues.

Lead author Bruce Henderson, Wharton MBA, former McKinsey consultant and former CEO for 30,000 addresses better than anyone the "What's In It For Me" aspect of Lean for board members and C level executives. This book brings valuable insights for a wide range of audiences. Novices and those who have already led numerous lean transformations will find valuable lessons inside. The straightforward style is refreshing and real at the same time; the term concrete heads is richly detailed with practical details which any reader will instantly understand.

The Dell example is dated, though the principles still relevant. The treatment of Six Sigma is light, and does not represent the integration which Michael George shares in his book Lean Six Sigma. On the other hand, the strategic alignment in Lean Transformation feels better addressed than in Lean Six Sigma. My hypothesis is that this strategic alignment is a key factor in long term sustainability of continuous improvement, whatever the flavor.

Heavily focused on discrete manufacturing as opposed to continuous process manufacturing, this classic remains close to the top of my list of 300+ books on Lean, Six Sigma and Process Improvement for executives who seek to better understand lean.

Extremely well written and easy to read, "Lean Transformation" does a great job of setting the scene for lean. It covers the issues and challenges you will face in moving to lean. As such it is a good primer or starter text for managers about the make the leap to lean. Although the subtitle of the book is "How to Change Your Business Into a Lean Enterprise", this is not really a how-to manual - there is no explanation of how to map value streams, run 5S events, or implement any of the techniques. Rather the book is giving an overview perspective of the issues. For more detail you will need to move to other books such as "The New Lean Pocket Guide", "The New Lean Toolbox", "Lean Production Simplified" etc. I recommend this for senior managers needing good coverage of the arguments and issues in lean. Senior managers should also read "The Toyota Way", and "Creating a Lean Culture".

I've noticed that I reach for this book in my Lean practice, more than any other. Coincidence or a great book? I think it's not coincidence. This is lean classic for the TOTAL ENTERPRISE.

A good book written by people who have obviously implemented lean across the enterprise, a little short on method but full of practical advice and insights into transformation. Aimed at organisational change experts rather than the business operations manager. Heavily biased on manufacturing, the book is useful for services none the less.

Solid book. Filled with quality info, no fluff. I wish every book was of this quality.

I've been working in the Lean-Sigma arena for over 10 yrs. I found this book to be an excellent primer on what Lean is and what it takes to implement. There are other books that can help on the details of the different tools, but this is a great book to give perspective, roles of managers and supervisors. It walks you through the importance of product flow, different methods to handle flow in manufacturing that provides generic models for different scenarios that can be adapted to meet your circumstances. If your looking to start a Lean Effort, this is a must read for the business leader, the process champions, and the front line supervisors and middle managers. This will definitely give you a point of discussion on how to launch.

What is it not is a manual on the details of the different tools like value stream maps, Poka-Yoke, SMED, workflow/cell design, TPM, 5-S, Standard Work, Standard WIP, etc. It discusses all these topics, and you come away with an understanding of them and how they work together, but it doesn't go into the details of them and how to implement that other sources do.