Shelve more with less –with Lean

Nancy KressUniversity of Nevada Las

Vegas

What you will learn about Lean:

Lean conceptsPractical examples

Why it works

The Reality

• Books still circulate• Semester ends, students

return books• Semester ends, students

unavailable to shelve books

What is “Lean?”

• Efficiency of work• Organize processes to add value

to the customer

• Do more with less

Do more with less WHAT?

• Correction• Waiting• Inventory• Excessive motion• Transportation

Auto manufacturing : Shelving books

Bookstacks : Supermarket

Basic Lean Principles• Specify VALUE by specific service/product• Identify the VALUE STREAM for the

service/product• Make value FLOW without interruptions• Let the customer PULL value from the

producer• Pursue PERFECTION

Lean Principle #1:

VALUE• A service or product provided to

the customer – that they would willingly pay for

VALUE• Product = BOOK IN CATALOG

• Right time = NOW, AT THE SHELF

• Right price = FREE

Wasteful Shelving Activities

Correction: Checking work for errorsDo it right the first time!

Lean Principle #2: VALUE STREAM• Activities required to provide a product or service into the hands

of the customer

VALUE STREAM

Wasteful Shelving Activities

Waiting: Sorting books

Wasteful Shelving Activities

Transportation: book run

Lean Principle #3:FLOW

• Completion of tasks along the value stream with no delays or

stoppages

Wasteful Shelving Activities

Transportation: moving carts

Lean Principle #4:PULL

• The customer identifies the product or service they need, and gets is exactly when they need it.

Wasteful Shelving Activity

Inventory: any form of batch processing

Lean Principle #5:PERFECTION

• The complete elimination of any activities along the value stream

that don’t add value.

ReferencesKress, N. (2007). Lean thinking in libraries. Journal of Access Services, 4 (no. 3/4)

Madison, D. (2005). Process mapping, process improvement, and process management: A practical guide for enhancing work and information flow. Chico, Calif: Paton Press.

Womack, J., & Jones, D. (2003) Lean thinking: banish waste and create wealth in your corporation. New York: Free Press.