Introduction
Using AI and Low-Code to Kaizen your Lean Journey: For decades, organisations committed to lean thinking have focused on continuous improvement (Kaizen) – eliminating waste, enhancing efficiency, and delivering more value to customers. Lean has always been concerned with both the physical and information flow – from concept to launch, from order to delivery and in the use of a product or service. In today’s digital age, achieving true agility is increasingly about leveraging technology to solve problems at the gemba, faster than ever before.
That’s where low-code platforms and AI come in. These technologies can make lean more accessible to frontline teams and accelerate kaizen efforts across entire organisations. So, the question isn’t whether lean leaders should embrace low-code and AI – the question is how quickly they can integrate them into their existing problem-solving culture.
Why Low-Code is a Natural Fit for Lean Thinking
Historically, developing custom software to support lean initiatives was a cumbersome process, often hindered by IT backlogs and resource constraints. The advent of no-code platforms has revolutionised this scenario by enabling “citizen developers”. These are individuals without formal coding backgrounds – to create applications tailored to their specific needs. This democratisation of software development aligns seamlessly with lean principles by promoting efficiency and eliminating unnecessary steps in process improvement.
Back in 2017, we did early experiments on this at the Halfway Production Centre in Johannesburg. Their general manager, Morné Fourie, wasn’t a software engineer – he was a vehicle technician by trade. Yet with a short workshop and some online coaching he taught himself to build custom apps that supported lean processes at the gemba.
So, what were the results?
- Faster workflows
- Reduced lead times
- Improved efficiency without waiting for IT
This is what low-code platforms make possible – empowering lean leaders to solve problems themselves.
How AI is Supercharging Kaizen
Building upon the foundation laid by no-code platforms, AI introduces a new dimension to lean practices. In fact, AI’s capabilities in analysing unstructured data, automating routine tasks, and providing predictive insights complement the lean methodology’s focus on value creation and waste reduction. By integrating AI into lean strategies, organisations can enhance their problem-solving abilities and accelerate continuous improvement efforts. Therefore, If low-code democratises app development, AI takes lean problem-solving to the next level.
AI is already transforming lean practices in several key areas:
- AI-Powered Gemba Walks – Imagine an AI assistant that analyses real-time production data, highlighting inefficiencies between areas that you might not have noticed.
- Helping develop Root Cause Analysis – AI can sift through historical process data to identify patterns in defects, downtime, or quality issues.
- Predictive Maintenance – AI-powered sensors can predict when a machine will fail. Therefore allowing proactive maintenance to prevent costly breakdowns.
- AI-Driven Decision Support – Rather than relying on gut instinct, AI models can recommend process improvements based on real-world data.
At Stellantis UK, a cross-functional lean team developed AI-driven applications using low-code tools. So, what was the outcome?
- They reduced their software footprint by 70%
- Employees took ownership of automation and digital workflows
- The company eliminated eight redundant systems
Bridging the IT Gap with Lean-Led Technology: Lean and AI
Some lean practitioners may be hesitant about using AI or low-code – fearing it’s too complex or that IT should “own” digital transformation. However, the reality is traditional IT structures can’t keep up with the speed of lean problem-solving.
That doesn’t mean IT becomes irrelevant. Instead, lean and IT must collaborate.
- IT can set governance and ensure security.
- Team members can use low-code and AI to drive frontline innovation.
- Together this creates a leaner, more agile business.
In a recent study, Salesforce’s AI Executive VP, Jayesh Govindarajan, emphasised that in today’s digital world, having problem-solving skills is more important than knowing how to code. AI can generate solutions – but it’s up to lean thinkers to define the problems worth solving.
Challenges & Considerations: Lean, AI and No-Code
Like any lean initiative, implementing low-code and AI requires a thoughtful approach.
Here’s what organisations need to get right:
- Governance & Security – IT must ensure that low-code applications are secure and that AI models don’t introduce bias or errors.
- Training & Mindset Shift – Employees must see low-code as an enabler – not as a replacement for lean problem-solving.
- Integration with Existing Systems – AI and low-code shouldn’t create silos. In reality they should work alongside ERP, MES, and CRM systems.
When these factors are addressed, low-code and AI become some of the most powerful tools for lean transformation.
To conclude, the future of lean isn’t just about continuous improvement. It’s about continuously improving how we improve. Low-code and AI are not replacements for lean thinking – they’re enablers of the next generation of lean practitioners. With this in mind, the companies that embrace these tools today will define the lean enterprises of tomorrow.
Click the video below to watch Mike Moore’s keynote from last year’s Summit on Kaizen – using No-Code and AI.
UK Lean Summit Opportunity
To delve deeper into the integration of lean practices with no-code solutions and AI, we invite you to attend Mike Moore’s learning session at the UK Lean Summit 2025. Building upon his highly acclaimed session from last year, Mike will facilitate a hands-on learning experience focused on leveraging these technologies to enhance kaizen initiatives. This session offers a unique opportunity to gain practical insights and network with professionals dedicated to continuous improvement.
The session is designed for executives and professionals with limited technical experience who are keen to explore how low-code technology and AI-powered tools like ChatGPT can create practical, business-driven applications.
Citizen Developers
In addition, participants will gain hands-on insights into how Citizen Developers – individuals without formal software development training – can leverage these technologies to build valuable applications that improve departmental or workgroup processes.
The example used in this session will address challenges related to delivering Job Instructions to technicians performing technical tasks such as plant and equipment servicing. Furthermore, the session will demonstrate how AI agents can serve as interactive service manuals, guiding technicians through tasks in real-time via dynamic dialogues. These AI-driven conversations can provide customised service checklists, instructions, and troubleshooting support, ensuring technicians have all the information they need at their fingertips.
AI
The session will also address concerns of professionals unfamiliar with AI and unsure how it can work with internal corporate data. Attendees will learn to securely use proprietary information – such as process documentation, technical manuals, and sales literature – within an AI framework, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive company data.
By the end of the session, participants will understand how low-code platforms and AI-powered tools can empower them to streamline business processes, enhance operational efficiency, and drive value within their organisations, all without needing deep technical expertise.
Want to see how low-code and AI can drive real-world kaizen in your organisation?
Join Mike Moore’s hands-on learning session at the UK Lean Summit 2025.
What You’ll Learn:
- How low-code tools enable rapid lean improvements – no IT backlog required
- How AI can enhance problem-solving, root cause analysis, and decision-making
- Live demonstrations of AI-powered lean applications in action
- Real-world case studies from leading lean organisations
