In the October 2011 issue of Harvard Business Review is an article, entitled “Lean Knowledge Work”, where authors Bradley Staats and David Upton explore the issue of whether the lean knowledge principles derived from the Toyota Production System can be applied to knowledge work. While there is no one definition of ‘lean’ it has generally included “numerous approaches to improving operations, all based upon the same principles; relentless attention to detail, commitment to data-driven experimentation and charging workers with the ongoing task of increasing efficiency and eliminating waste in their jobs.”
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