Lean organizations look to minimize eight types of waste to create a flawless flow of value to the customer. In a perfect world, no resources are used until necessary, and every task contributes something for which customers are happy to pay.

In reality, achieving this is much more challenging than wanting it. That’s why Lean tools and techniques have been created to help leaders embark on this journey. Using software designed to support this type of positive change is one way to ensure success.

While it started in the manufacturing sector, today, the Lean business methodology has been embraced in almost every industry. One of the reasons it is so popular is that there are a set of tools and techniques designed to help organizations live the principles of Lean.

Fortunately for modern leaders, software is available to support Lean efforts and speed the path to improvement and waste reduction. The best Lean software solutions have features to enhance multiple Lean techniques in a single platform that becomes the repository for all improvement knowledge and work.

Here are seven popular Lean tools that can be better managed with software.

While it was initially deployed in the automotive sector, the Lean manufacturing management methodology has gained momentum in almost every industry. The approach is now widespread within healthcare organizations, universities, consumer goods manufacturing, construction companies, software development, and many other sectors. Thoughtful leaders can adapt lean ideas to fit the needs of many organizations.

One error we encounter is that some leaders believe that generic project management software will be sufficient for supporting and reporting on Lean initiatives. However, that’s generally not the case. Project management software does not have many of the features that are required for a successful Lean implementation. On the other hand, Lean manufacturing software helps leaders implement improvement and understand the impact of Lean at the same time. Here are a few essential Lean software capabilities.

We are often asked, “What types of businesses need continuous improvement software?” Our typical answer is that businesses in every industry, including manufacturing, healthcare, construction, financial services, engineering, and even higher education, benefit from improvement management software. That is the case, but the industry labels are only one element of what drives organizations to embrace improvement technology. The need for improvement is industry agnostic, but certain business conditions are signs software support can have an enormous impact.

Improvement software should be high on your list of initiatives to consider if you recognize any of the following:

The Lean and Six Sigma business methodologies have deep roots in the automotive manufacturing sector. One of the reasons they are so popular in the auto industry is that they bring a set of techniques and tools designed to help organizations achieve continuous improvement and a seamless flow of value to the customer.

Fortunately for today's auto manufacturers, software is available to support Lean Six Sigma efforts and streamline the road to improvement and waste reduction. The best Lean Six Sigma software solutions for automobile manufacturers and suppliers have features to enhance multiple Lean Six Sigma techniques in a single platform that becomes the repository for all improvement knowledge and work.

Here are seven popular auto industry Lean Six Sigma tools that can be better supported by software.

The Lean business approach is becoming increasingly popular in healthcare organizations. Leaders have discovered that Lean is a perfect fit for healthcare because it helps improve resource utilization and reduce costs while keeping quality patient care as the top priority. To get the most out of Lean, many hospitals and healthcare networks use a software platform that supports Lean principles and related techniques. If you are considering leveraging technology to accelerate your mission to reduce waste and increase employee engagement, this post will help.

Many organizations look to minimize the eight types of waste identified in the Lean business methodology. The goal is to create a shameless and efficient flow of value to the customer. Ideally, no resources are used until needed, and every task contributes something for which customers are willing to pay. In the real world, achieving this is much more difficult than wanting to do it. That's why so many Lean techniques and tools have been created to help those who embark on this journey. Using software purpose-built to support this type of improvement work is one way to ensure success.

Most of the people who come to us looking for improvement software have never evaluated these solutions before. So if you are wondering where to start your selection process, you are in good company. What's important is that you recognize the opportunity to accelerate your organization's improvement by adding technology to support it. There are many solutions on the market, but some are better suited for a CI program than others.

Working with our clients, we've put together a list of the "must-have" features and capabilities. We hope it will be useful during your search.

We talk to people who are looking for ways to get more efficient with their continuous improvement efforts every day. Many are already using the Lean management method, others are just getting started with Lean, and some are taking a "Lean light" approach by adopting some of Lean's principles without going all in. In any case, leaders want to know what to expect and how the Lean management system can help them improve and achieve their most important goals. Luckily, we are well-positioned to share what our customers have told us happened when they invested in technology to bolster their efforts to improve and reduce waste.

Most people don't have much experience evaluating Kaizen software solutions, so you are not alone if you are at a loss about what to look for. Kaizen software can help bring your organization together around improvement work. It can accelerate the pace of good change and demonstrate the impact of the team's efforts. But there is a wide range of solutions available, some more helpful than others. Over the years, our clients have helped us build this list of essential features. It should prove useful during your search.