Lean is a way of thinking, acting, and applying a collection of principles, methods, and practices for consistent operation and organization. Through valuing the individual experiences and abilities of staff, focusing on clear long-term goals, and identifying and eliminating forms of waste, organizations are able to create work environments which encourage continuous improvement, respect, and collaboration while producing quality results on time.
The most important factors for success are patience, a focus on long-term rather than short-term results, reinvestment in people, product, and plant, and an unforgiving commitment to quality
Robert B.McCurry, former executive V.P, Toyota Motor Sales
The Toyota Way: 14 management principles from the world’s greatest manufacturer by Jeffrey K. Liker.
Journey into a culture of continuous improvement
At UCSF, we are invested in building a culture which supports and encourages continuous improvement as part of the Lean process.
Learning and practicing Lean is often talked about as a journey. Over the past 15 years, the PMO has been helping FAS build muscle to advance a culture of continuous improvement. In the past 5-6 years, this effort, better known as our Lean journey, has helped develop direction, infrastructure, and discipline. The underpinning for everything Lean is known as A3 thinking, a repeatable process to approach problem-solving.
Framework for Developing Problem Solvers
The Lean Learning Program helps participants gain key competencies to foster a culture of continuous improvement. These courses are where you will develop new vocabulary to improve your problem-solving conversations with one another within the FAS village and the greater UCSF campus. If we are using the same vocabulary and applying a repeatable process to approach problems, we will increase the likelihood of solving them.
Learn more about the courses we offer and how to register:
Making Improvement Work Part of the Work
The opportunity to apply Lean concepts and tools in their immediate work area or projects is an integral part of each course.
Certification is available to recognize a participant’s commitment to on-going personal learning and practice; however, Lean certification is not a job requirement at UCSF. Participants are encouraged to select their most appropriate learning and practice level in consultation with a PMO coach and their direct supervisor.
