Terms from A-Z

The term Lean derives from the improvement methodologies developed, refined and applied to the specific business needs of Toyota. These methodologies are commonly referred to as the Toyota Production System (TPS) or the Toyota Business System. In its entirety, TPS has many techniques of implementation, methodologies for deployment and tools for tactical analysis. To be successful, all of the above must be supported by a management philosophy that creates a culture of continuous improvement. This combination of understanding, maturity and tactical skill, when developed and deployed properly, enables performance improvements through the identification and elimination of “waste”.

Simply Lean Management:

To improve your understanding of Lean terminology, this LPM Academy glossary serves.

Browse the glossary using this index

Special | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | ALL

N

Nagar system

Performing two or more activities in one movement.(Source: TBM Consulting Group http://www.tbmcg.com/de/about/ terminology.php)

Nemawashi

Preliminary work to involve other departments in discussions to seek input, information and/or support for a proposal or change that would affect them.

Network link

see subnetwork technology

Network planning technique

Definition of network planning technology according to DIN 69 900 All procedures for the analysis, description, planning and control of processes on the basis of graph theory, whereby time, costs, resources and other influencing variables can be taken into account.

Network summarization

Network summarization is the reduction of the number of activities, events or relationships in a network while the project's process structure remains unchanged (definition according to DIN). This procedure is appropriate when a detailed network plan, which in practice is often already created from the descriptions of the work packages, is to be developed into a rough or framework network plan that does not yet exist. (Source: GPM)

Network update

A network update is the recalculation of the network on an update date, taking into account the feedback received. (Source: GPM)

non-value added

Any activity that increases costs without adding value to the product or process.(Source: TBM Consulting Group http://www.tbmcg.com/de/about/ terminology.php)

Normal sequence

Normal sequence 8nf9 This term from network planning technology describes the usual arrangement relationship of activities within a network. Here, the start of an activity depends on the end of its predecessor(s), i.e. the activity in question can only be started when the predecessors have been completed. (Source: GPM)

North Star

Hoshin-Kanri contains a hierarchy of goals. The multi-year goal (ideal or vision) is the North Star (True North), to which the annual goals, but also the concrete improvement activities, are oriented. Because the North Star is aligned with customer needs, the previously different and sometimes contradictory management goals can be redefined, synchronized and aligned. This resolves some of the previous conflicting goals. Source: http://www.wandelweb.de/wiki/index.php5?title=Hoshin_Kanri

Not value adding