Comments on: 5 Steps to Developing a Thinking Organization

By: Lester Sutherland

Lester Sutherland — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:29:11 +0000

Ron,
I agree with your comments on thinking, but Toyota is a “Learning Organization”. All their people are encouraged to think, but also to learn and spread the learning through standards that are the best known to date and are open to improvement by thinking people. For example if their is a better way to fold shirts they write it down and teach it. If a better too can be developed to fold shirts they would standardize it and perhaps even make a video.

Best,
Les

By: Scott Edwards

Scott Edwards — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:47:41 +0000

Great post and wonderful insight. I will definitely use this. For additional structure on the topic of honing our thinking skills I also recommend the TOC Thinking Processes espoused by Eli Goldratt and the TOC world. Washington State University’s Engineering program has some good classes on these subjects that I highly recommend if you really want to dive deep into it, especially the Constraints Management course (EM526). It’s offered online for better convenience. More info here: http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/holt/em526/

By: Ron Pereira

Ron Pereira — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 19:22:53 +0000

All excellent comments Paul, Bob, and Marty. Thank you.

By: Marty Vincent

Marty Vincent — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:53:26 +0000

I have had good results in getting people to think by listening to what they have to say and being genuinely interested – that, combined with good questions always leads to creative results.

By: Bob Delaney

Bob Delaney — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:01:21 +0000

The key is to never be satisfied with the way things are. If on time performance is 100%, shorten lead-times. If quality is good, make it better. If we become satisfied with status quo thinking stops. Great article. Thanks for making me “think.”

By: Paul Cary

Paul Cary — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:19:37 +0000

Thinking comes from observing, applying, repeating, doing, reinforcing, challenging, day in and day out and over time employees will start to think about eliminating waste as natural as when they drive a car. In a mature “Lean Environment” lean thinking should be as natural as breathing.