Toyota Way- Eliminating Waste

As I mentioned in the previous blog on The Toyota Way they set out the 14 principles

It started from using operational excellence as a strategic weapon. It came from Deming and he created the Deming Cycle which put simply is Plan Do Check Act PDCA

They value taking action and learning from that through continuous improvement. They created a consistency in their product.

Toyota became more profitable than their competitors. They could design and produce a new car in 12 months as opposed to two to three years for their rivals.

It is all about eliminating waste muda. The basic situation is what does the customer want from this process? It has to have value in the customers eyes. If it doesn't it is waste.

They have identified seven areas of waste or non value added operations. This can be applied to any transaction be it a factory or an office. The author added an eighth.

1 Overproduction. It needs to be stored

2 Waiting ( time on hand) watching a machine or not being ale to work because of lack of stock

3 Unnecessary transport or conveyance Moving work in progress long distances.

4 Over processing or incorrect processing. taking too many steps

5 Excess inventory. Excess raw material ,work in progress or finished goods

6 Unnecessary Movement Looking for things walking around

7 Defects

8 Unused employee creativity. Not engaging the employees to think about their work.


The most fundamental in a factory is overproduction which used to arise in mass production. with lean you are making to order with little inventory.

It is a great system and can teach us a lot.