8 Lean Wastes

The 8 Lean Wastes is a concept that was developed by Toyota to identify and eliminate non-value-adding activities from the production process. The 8 Lean Wastes are: Overproduction, Waiting, Transportation, Processing, Inventory, Motion, Defects, and Over-processing. Overproduction is when more of a product is made than is necessary, resulting in excess inventory and increased costs. Waiting is when there is a delay in the production process, resulting in lost time and resources. Transportation is the unnecessary movement of materials, which can lead to delays and higher costs. Processing is the use of resources to create a product, but the process may be inefficient or outdated. Inventory is when too much material is stored, leading to higher costs and decreased efficiency. Motion is when workers move around unnecessarily, leading to wasted time and resources. Defects are when a product is not made to the required standard, resulting in rework and higher costs. Over-processing is when too much time and effort is spent on a product, resulting in higher costs and lower efficiency. By identifying and eliminating these 8 Lean Wastes, companies can reduce costs and increase efficiency.