Lean Enterprises: Searching for the Seven Deadly Wastes in the Office Environment

Globally, scores of manufacturers have applied the systematic, proven principles of Lean management to eliminate non-value-added activities. But for organizations to be recognized as true Lean enterprises, they must be able to eliminate waste in the office environment as well. For any organization, manufacturer or otherwise, office operations are a significant part of the value chain, representing many opportunities to increase quality and productivity by focusing on value-added activities.