UK Lean Summit 2015 – Lean Transformation: Developing the Capability to Improve the Work

The theme for our 2015 Lean Summit is Lean Transformation: Developing the Capability to Improve the Work. This year we build upon the topic of Lean Transformation structuring the event around two key elements of our Lean Transformation Framework:

  • Capability Development – Sustainable improvement capability in all people at all levels. 
  • Process Improvement – Continuous, real, practical changes to improve the way the work is done.
Grasping the Situation using the Lean Transformation Framework Workshop

Before we organise a Summit we always ask for and try to think through key questions puzzling our Community – I think this gives our Summit a unique purpose and atmosphere as – rather than listen to practitioners or consultants with a particular angle – we find the best people from around the globe who are also trying to answer the questions we are collecting and posing. This year our key questions are:

  • What are the models of Lean transformation?
  • How do you use the Lean Transformation Framework (LTF) to transform your business
  • How do I lead and coach the transformation?
  • What are the fundamentals required to develop a Lean organisation?
  • How do the best companies develop and coach leadership to build capability?
  • How can we apply Lean to ourselves?
  • How do you apply Lean Thinking beyond operations to sales environments?
  • What can the start-up and more traditional Lean movements learn from each other?

We have a strong line up to discuss such questions. Our Chairman Dan Jones will set the context for the Summit by outlining the alternative models of Lean transformation and the pros and cons of different approaches. We are delighted to welcome John Shook, Chairman of the Lean Enterprise Institute to the UK. John is the architect and Chief Engineer for our Lean Transformation Framework – so we’ve asked him to share how we have been developing the framework and what it means for organisations – Jim Womack gave a hint to some of the questions the framework poses in his latest Planet Lean article.

Our third keynote speaker is Dan Markovitz, author of “A Factory of One” and the recently released book “Building the Fit Organisation.” I’m sure many of you will have read Dan’s first book in which he provides insight for all of us in terms of applying Lean thinking to ourselves – improving our own personal productivity. Dan will share this and his latest (which I have just finished reading) – there are great insights in this latest offering.

We will also share stories from people at the front line applying Lean thinking and practice in their organisations. As always, we’ve tried to provide a mix of applications and environments. From the start-up World Cliff Hazell will tell us how the music service Spotify is developing and coaching leaders. We will also all go back to school as Tony Lamberton (Headmaster) and Sarah Williams (a teacher and Head of Student Services) at Christleton High School will explain how Lean applies to secondary education and share the ground-breaking work they have been doing – learning and coached by Toyota’s Lean Management Centre (TLMC.)

In addition to the plenary presentations, participants will also be able to choose from 8 two-hour learning sessions. These provide a mix between expanding on the plenary talks to providing some of the best examples of practice. This year Toyota will share how they develop and sustain improvement through standardised work – a key fundamental, the Garraf hospital, Barcelona will share their transformation and I will team up with the Halfway Group from South Africa to share how we have been applying Lean thinking in the sales environment.

Each year customers tell us that our Summit is the not to be missed Lean event of the year for any leader, senior manager or Lean practitioner wanting to transform and or sustain the gains from their Lean efforts. You can find out more about the programme and reserve your place at www.leanuk.org/leasummit2015. Come and join us and 200 other Lean Thinkers for the best Lean conference of the year. We look forward to seeing you in November.

PS We also have spaces remaining on two of the Pre-Summit Masterclasses running on Monday 16th November.