Operations & Supply Chain

Lean Operations and Waste Reduction

Lean thinking helps organisations deliver more value with fewer resources by eliminating waste. This course covers lean principles in operations: identifying the eight wastes, value stream thinking, flow and pull, standard work, visual management and running improvement events in manufacturing and service operations.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Most processes contain significant hidden waste. You will learn to see it and remove it systematically.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Gemba exercises, lean simulations, value stream workshops and case studies.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain lean principles and their origins
Identify the eight types of waste
Map value streams
Create flow and pull systems
Apply standard work and visual management
Run kaizen improvement events

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Operations managers and supervisors
Process improvement professionals
Production and service team leaders
Quality managers
Engineers

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Waste identification
Value stream mapping
Flow design
Standard work
Kaizen facilitation

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Lean Thinking

09:00–10:08Lean principles
10:08–11:00Value from the customer view
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Value from the customer view (continued)
11:45–12:53Lean simulation round 1
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Waste

09:00–10:08Eight wastes
10:08–11:00Gemba walks
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Gemba walks (continued)
11:45–12:53Waste observation
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 3Flow and Pull

09:00–10:08Value stream mapping
10:08–11:00Flow
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Flow (continued)
11:45–12:53Pull and kanban
12:53–14:00Simulation round 2

Day 4Standard Work and Visual Management

09:00–10:08Standard work
10:08–11:00Visual controls
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Visual controls (continued)
11:45–12:535S
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 5Kaizen

09:00–10:08Improvement events
10:08–11:00Sustaining gains
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Sustaining gains (continued)
11:45–12:53Lean culture
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

Keep exploring

Your next horizon awaits.

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