Leading a successful Lean IT transformation requires flawless execution along with several key components including leadership, a plan, a methodology, engagement, tools, skills, and perseverance. In our new book, The Lean IT Field Guide , we describe many of the factors required to create a lasting Lean IT transformation. The guide, along with our first book, Lean IT: Enabling and Sustaining Your Lean Transformation, provides a great deal information on the principles, systems, and tools of Lean IT.
A roadmap provides the strategy to mobilize, focus, align, accelerate, and amplify the process of change to propel your organization to radically higher levels of engagement, transparency, and performance.
Sequence is critical
Over the past twenty-four years, we have tried many approaches and witnessed what works and what does not. Here’s the bottom line: each organization has its own culture, history, and work environment, so one size does not fit all. There is no standard deployment sequence or collection of work systems that apply universally.
Although organizations share common elements, each company is unique in its culture, history, purpose, processes, and people. So while the transformation road map contains common elements, each organization’s route is distinctive and applicable specifically to them. That said, there are some foundational concepts applicable to all organizations.
- Start by establishing a clear purpose throughout the organization. This is a prerequisite for success.
- Acknowledge that the bedrock of lean is learning and that problem solving capability is the key skill to cultivate if you are serious about transformation.
- Strive to balance the two pillars of lean: continuous improvement and respect for people. Don’t make the common mistake of falling in love with the tools of lean and ignoring respect for people.
- Create a culture of accountability by building work systems that position your people to succeed, to learn, and to grow. This is true respect for people and promotes high levels of teamwork, engagement, accountability, and ultimately performance.
- Work systems must be designed, built, maintained, and improved by the people doing the actual work. Outside support is fine, but the frontline people must do the work.
Give us a call
Some organizations wish to accelerate their transformation by engaging a highly experienced Lean IT coach with a proven track record. If this is you, give us a call. Please bear in mind while there are many companies who profess to know Lean IT, we advise that you proceed with caution.