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The 8 Essential LEAN Techniques You Need to Know

By January 13, 2023No Comments

One of the best methodologies used to help dispose of waste in any project management process is Lean Management. If you’ve been wondering what are the lean techniques that every project manager should know about, keep reading! We will discuss them in this Brain Sensei blog.

Lean management techniques are utilized in a variety of processes. Lean training courses usually double-down on techniques in these processes. Lean processes can be used in any project situation that uses systematic processes. Lean methods and Six Sigma methods work exceptionally well together and are essential for every project management professional. In this Brain Sensei blog, we will explore the ins and outs of Lean project management, look at some Lean methodology examples, and tell you in detail how this method can help you as a professional.

Technique #1 Kaizen

Kaizen helps to improve processes in many different ways. Kaizen is a Japanese term meaning continuous improvement. Kaizen relates to the concept of improving or making things better over time.

Technique #2 Poka-Yoke

The next Lean technique is called Poka-Yoke. Poka-Yoke is a technique that focuses on the prevention of mistakes in the process. It uses unique devices to help streamline the process and prevent mistakes. Poka-Yoke can be applied to all aspects of customer service, manufacturing, and a variety of other business functions. It helps to use visuals that clearly identify mistakes. Besides Mistake Proofing, Poka-Yoke is also known by an older term, Baka-Yoke, or fool-proofing. Whatever name you use to refer to this Lean Technique, it’s definitely an important one to understand and utilize when project managing.

Technique #3 5S

5S is the Lean Technique that is most centered around organization. This process is used to try to reduce waste and motion on a small scale. It is a more organized way to ensure all materials are specifically placed in known and optimal locations. 5S is a method used to orchestrate and organize an effective workplace.

Sorting helps all unnecessary materials to be eliminated from the direct workplace. Set-in-order allows all necessary items to be placed in the best possible location. Shine indicates that the workplace is kept clean and organized. Standardization indicates that all phases in a workstation are organized on the best possible day. Sustain enforces workers in the area to use the stations set for them in each of the for S stages that come previously.

Technique #4 KANBAN

Kanban is the fourth Lean technique we’ll be talking about. Kaban helps to schedule the works-in-processes while focusing on continuous improvement and aids in establishing a stock point that will send a notice when items are removed by a systematic process. Kanban means signboard in the Japanese language. Kanban uses visuals to show the movement of parts between process stages. Toyota originally developed Kanban to help come up with a process to keep up with high levels of demand.

Technique #5: Just In Time

The next technique is a strategy that helps to enhance a business’s return on investment. ROI is supported by decreasing inventory that is in the process as well as associated carrying costs. The process uses different Kanban process points to be as effective as possible. Just-in-time is a manufacturing system that produces the needed units in exact amounts at the perfect time.

Technique #6 Jidoka

Jidoka is used to stop issues that may arise on the production line, as well as to create pressure to find solutions that will last. Jidoka ensures the stop of a production line in the event that the workspace clashes with a problem. These issues can create a crisis in the atmosphere which supports permanent solutions to ensure the problem does not happen again. Jidoka means automatic completion with a human touch, which stops function when a problem occurs. Jidoka is a great way to make the most of these techniques to avoid wasted time and materials.

Technique #7 Takt-time

Takt-time’s purpose is to even out the amount of production and stop buildups and excess demand in inventory. This is the typical time needed between inputs and outputs at a certain process associated with customer expectations. It is the time allocated at which the desired output must be completed in order to make the customer happy. The Takt-time formula is Time = Valuable Time / Required Output.

Technique #8 Heijunka

The last lean technique is Heijunka.  Heijunka levels the volume and product mix of production. In this system, products are not made in agreement with the customer’s expectations. Heijunka levels orders out so a consistent output is achieved each day. This is a method to stop waste which is a result of fluctuating customer expectations.

These techniques help create systems that only add value to systems. If a process fails to contribute to customer value, it is discarded using Lean techniques. Incorporating Lean methodology techniques into your work is a great way to add value for the customer and stop wasting costs or materials, which directly improves your ROI.

Have you led projects and are looking to earn a project management certification?  You might be interested in learning about how lucrative this can be.  Check out these articles.

Should You Become PMP Certified? – Here’s Why Becoming A Certified Project Management Professional Can Boost Your Career

13 PMP Benefits Once You Get The PMP Certification

No experience leading projects but still want to get into project management?  No problem!  Check out these articles.  

CAPM Certification Eligibility

What is a Certified Project Manager; How do I get PM Certifications

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I think the course is good. I wouldn't mind a few more videos and audible in the trainings. I do a lot do reading. I bought the PMBOK book on the side and sometimes have trouble connect the class to the PMBOK book. I do enjoy your format. I am learning. Personally I need buckle down and spend more time on it.

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The Course documents should remain open for longer than 6 months, given that PMI gives you 365 days to prepare for exam. Also, the option to extend visibility for the course documents, costs almost a 5th of the course, but opens up the docs for just 30 more days. Propose to extend this to 90 days at the very least.

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I'm very satisfied with the Brain Sensei PMP Exam Preparation Course. All 8 Modules are very well structured and detailed. I believe that practice exams included in the course helped me a lot with the preparation for my PMP Exam. I appreciate Brain Sensei for their amazing course and for the awesome service. They responded to all my requests immediately. Thanks. Highly recommended.

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The format of the prep-course is great overall and a great alternative to reading the PMBOK. Barring a few minor glitches here and there, the flow of information ensures that concepts are well understood not only from the point of examination but to the point of application in day to day professional activities. Explanations provided in the answers of prep exams (apart from the 1st one) are also a key to understanding the thought process to be applied. With the focus being on Agile approaches from 2021, the information in the course seemed adequate to cover the concepts. All the Best to all aspirants.

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Studied BrainSensei for 11 days and passed. Succinct and highly informational chapters. The 4 practice exams are marginally more difficult then the PMP. Borderline impossible to fail the PMP if you pass this course.

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Your course, quizzes at the end of most modules and practice exams truly challenged me. I definitely derived the value and knowledge I was looking for in preparation for taking the PMP Certification Test. In particular, I appreciated the explanations that popped-up in the tests after an answer was submitted - very educational and helpful to my learning/understanding the material and concepts better. Some areas that could be improved (and some of this is nit-picking) include: * Some of the grammar and overall sentence structures, particularly in the latest set of practice exams, needs to be cleaned-up. Some were missing 'of', 'for, or had an extra 'an' in the narrative - got confusing at times. * In the practice exams, I'd like to see shorter sentences rather than the flurry of 'and' and 'or' conjunctions that made reading the sentences go on forever (had to read them multiple times to truly understand their meaning). That said, I enjoyed the overall online course taking experience and thank you for accommodating my requested time extensions. Best regards, Scott Conn

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Liked it. Need access for longer though.

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What I like best about Brain Sensei is the interactive nature of the course. I think this material would be numbing if delivered as simple lectures with slides. This method is an improvement on that. On the other hand, an in-person course, while more expensive, would likely be even more useful if you have the funds and the time. I haven't taken the PMP exam yet, so I can't comment on how useful the practice tests are.

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Passed first attempt

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Truly the best course in town if you wish to pass the PMP exam on the first try. I love the idea of playing the role of the samurai and practice your project management skill in her shoes. And not to forget, the generous amount of practice exam gave me just the right dose of confidence before taking the real one. Highly recommended

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The course was great, though I found a lot of parts hard to comprehend. I feel a lot more prepared and better skilled to manage projects in my career. Thanks, Brain Sensei.

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The BrainSensei PMP preparation course provided me with all the material required to be ready for the exam. It is well structured, explains the concepts clearly, and most importantly, provides ample training questions through the four mock exams and assessment questions at the end of each module. I passed the exam with Above Target in all sections on the first attempt.

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BrainSensei developed a great learning method to prepare for the PMP certification exam. Their customer service is always very professional, fast, spot on and dedicated to your success. I recommend them.

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I have studied with other programs and I didn’t feel prepared. After a short time with Brain Sensei, I had the confidence to succeed on exam day, which I did on the first try after studying with Brain Sensei. It was worth every penny.

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Course is made for people who are already grounded in the material, not for someone that needs all the basics. Was budget friendly and OK content.

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Brain Sensei is great tool to have in the study arsenal while preparing for the PMP exam.

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I really enjoyed the modules and content offered by Brain Sensei! I passed the PMP Exam on the first try and would recommend this course to anyone who is looking for a great PMP Exam Prep.

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Overall layout is good, but there are some quality issues. Progress isn't always saved across all devices and progress gets lost. Some small spelling mistakes. I loved the practical storyline...

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Passed my PMP on first attempt using Brain Sensei Prep course.

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Quick and helpful response. Thanks!!

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Need improvement in presenting more relevant real exam type questions. The practice exams are too simple and easy and do not prepare you for the real exam. Otherwise, good concept presenting material

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The prep materials provided plenty of content which prepared me well for the PMP exam. The questions were packed with information.

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Teaches the PMP in a solid manner, some things you need to know as a potential consumer: -The Samurai backstory is extremely short, and didn’t really assist me with recall in any in-depth way. It only gave broad brush-strokes as to what each phase entailed. -MOST of what was on the test was covered in the lessons, however if I had zero real prior PM knowledge prior to the test, I would have failed. -The first practice test forces you, as the student to actually read into the PMBOK, which was a benefit in the long run as it assisted me with quickly referencing what I needed to find. -The course will likely cover wave tops and subjects, forcing me to self-study for a week before my test... not a bad deal all things considered. -Brain Sensei’s course has incorporated Agile into one of their practice tests, and this test IS mandatory. This may seem strange, and I didn’t get a satisfactory reason why I needed to take a purely Agile test when I only wanted to take the PMP, for anyone else in this scenario, this is the reason: In June, PMI is revamping the PMP test to include Agile as a significant portion of the PMP. Brain Sensei is just ahead of the curve trying to get students prepared... fret not. Their customer service is extremely responsive and does take care of their members. My program had a couple bugs, and the customer service fixed my problems within 24 hours. All in all... it was absolutely worth the money for me.

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I am very impressed with this learning system. The content is laid out in a way that will make any learner understand all the process groups and ITTOs in order to understand Project management and be equipped to excel in the test. The learning system is engaging and fun at the same time. It's very different than other learning material which is composed mostly of videos. Some improvements are needed, but in my opinion Brain Sensei is great value for money

- said durra

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At first, I was attracted to Brain Sensei training for their original learning program using a Samurai's story. And indeed it made the whole learning experience funnier - so easier. I felt like the Samurai. Then, I was amazed by The Brain Sensei Team's reactivity and help when I reached out through contact@brainsensei.com Their support was constantly reliable and efficient. I appreciated their professionalism and didn't feel on my own. At last, the course and the practice exams proved to be efficient since I passed the PMP exam - with 'Above Targe't in all Domains. So thank you so much Brain Sensei Team !! Charlene

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Overall very good. Got stuck a few times trying to find resources which I should have downloaded the before starting the program. Customer service has been great.

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SO far I am thoroughly enjoying the Brain Sensei PMP prep course. I have taken a Project management class as a part of my degree which I recently completed and project management has always interested me. I find the course to be educational and easy to follow. I am grateful that this course has been designed in such a way that is simple to understand all of the complexities in project management and that allows me to study at my own pace.

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The content is good and easy to understand

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This review is based on completing all course work through module 102. The story and interactive nature of the course are helpful for learning and relating the material. It would be nice to have the page numbers to the PMBOK guide where references are made to it. Other information that will be helpful, are the explanations to the practice questions at the end of each module. These are provided only after immediately answering the questions. Having these available in the score summary from the 'history' tab will be helpful to refresh why the answer is correct and other options are not.

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Overall I would rate this course an 8/10. I liked how there were exams towards the end of every module and I felt that it was very useful having it laid out in different scenarios. I rate it only an 8/10 as I had some glitch/software issues and lost my progress resulting in me having to re-do modules/exams multiple times. All in all, that was maybe useful in the end as it was a way for me study or 're-learn' the course material. Thank you!

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Clear and precise explanations of how things work. I was never lost navigating the course.

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A smart approach to present the information which makes it fun and engaging while at the same time preparing for the PMP exam. Brain Sensei differentiates itself from other PMP exam preps in that it delivers the knowledge through the use of storytelling technique. I recommend this course because it will help you pass your PMP exam on the first try.

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Loved the story telling and the practice exams. I felt very prepared when the actual exam came around.

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One of a kind training that was truly engaging!

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Excellent course for preparing for the PMP exam in a fun and engaging way! The practice questions resemble the actual questions on the exam making it a completely worthwhile experience.

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I passed the PMP exam after taking Brain Sensei's Online PMP Certification Exam Prep. The practice exam questions were so similar to the questions that appeared on the exam. On exam day, when I sat down to take the test and started running through the questions I felt so relieved! The practice exams are also timed so you get more comfortable with the exam experience and feel better prepared when you sit down to take the test. The other differentiator was the video content throughout the modules. The concepts are taught through a story of a young samurai defending her kingdom. This will probably be the only PMP prep course where you can learn all the knowledge areas and feudal Japan at the same time. I'd recommend this course not just because of the videos but because it helped me pass my exam on the first try.

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Good course, but a few grammatical errors with how some questions were worded.

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It was good!

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Loved the unique approach and it still had all the info I'd expect from a full PMP exam prep course. Very responsive on questions too.

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