The fundamental idea of lean manufacturing is actually quite simple; it is the unremitting challenge on eliminating waste from manufacturing processes. However, before it can be eliminated it has to be identified so, what is waste?

​

Waste can take many forms, but the basic idea is to eliminate anything and everything that does not add value from the perspective of a customer. Another way to look at lean manufacturing is as a collection of tips, tools and techniques in the form of best practices that have been proven to be effective for driving waste out of the manufacturing process.

Traditional lean identifies seven key areas of waste typically referred to as the ‘Seven Deadly Wastes’.  An extremely important form of waste that is not represented within the Seven Deadly Wastes is that of unused human potential.