Question

What is a lean organization? Why is inspection generally less necessary in a lean organization than a non-lean organization? Explain.

Answer 1

A lean organization is an organization which tries to eliminate the wastes by following all the possible methods and optimization. A lean organization tries to control 7 types of wastes such as waiting time, defects, over-production, inventory, transportation, over-production and motion. These types of wastes incur the indirect cost to the organization. The lean organization focuses on streamlining the process by eliminating the non-value added activities to provide the best value to the customers. Lean organizations focus on perfection instead of verification. Lean organizations try to produce the product with zero defects. The process follows identifying the root cause of the process and mistakes are controlled permanently. In a lean organization, only the value-added activities are included and the other activities which don't add any value are excluded from the process. This controls cost and saves time and improves quality. The output is increased in the lean organization without showing an increase in the input.

In a lean organization, inspection is less necessary required. Inspection is usually required to confirm the quality of the product. The lean organization itself follows the process to create the products with zero defect rate. In a lean organization, inspection is considered to be an additional activity which doesn't add any value to the process. Quality inspection consumes time and resources. In other organizations, inspections are needed because no standard process is followed to provide good quality products. In a lean organization, standard operating procedures and proper policies are used to reduce the waste and to improve the quality. The process used in a lean organization eliminates the defects.