Lean Master Certificate Program

Leading Lean

This program, the most advanced and prestigious Lean Certificate available, is the only one that deserves the nomination "Master." Unlike most other Certificate programs, the Lean Master ensures "learning by doing" as the participant must apply what he/she is learning to the work environment. Each participant will complete a project at his/her company that provides both a learning experience for the participant and business results for the company. Upon successful completion of the project, the participant will be qualified by a Lean Learning Center Coach as a Lean Master. Another significant benefit of this program is that it is modular, allowing the participant to start the journey towards Lean Master designation by taking on one or two elements before making the decision to sign up for the entire program.

The Lean Master program can follow any sequence the participant desires with the exception that it must end with the completed company project. The following shows the elements of the program with the preferred, but not required, sequence of events.

Lean Experience

This course builds the foundation of lean as a way of thinking through Lean Rules and Principles and provides a base on which all other learning will be built. The required follow-up exercise is for the participant to assess his/her organization against the rules and principles of lean. A structured set of questions has to be answered and, based on that, the candidate develops a lean transformation plan. This assessment and plan must be captured and submitted to the coach for review.

Lean Kaizen Facilitator Boot Camp

In this class, the participant learns how to use the powerful kaizen process both on the shop floor and on administrative processes. The candidate must then complete at least two kaizens — one operational process and one administrative process — within his/her company. Both kaizens must have a captured report-out that can be sent to the coach. The participant must complete the formatted reflection activities to capture lessons learned from each experience.

Learning Laboratory

To achieve concentrated learning and strong application, this in-company program focuses on a small area within the company. The participant is expected to participate in the training, supporting and leading the application. As many as three Lean Master participants may be involved at each company Learning Laboratory.

Lean Leadership

This course teaches the participant about the different roles and behaviors expected from leaders at all levels in the lean company. Following the course, the student must complete an exercise during which he/she performs coaching conversations on the topic of lean efforts, as demonstrated in the course, with a superior, a subordinate, and a peer (organizationally). The conversation should be documented and lessons learned captured.

Lean Value Stream

This course teaches how to map the information and material flow of the participant-developed process across factories, allowing development of an effective strategy to get closer to the ideal state. As follow-up work, the participant is expected to complete both current state and ideal state maps of a process being worked on or that he/she is responsible for or supporting, creating an action plan for closing the gap. The participant, in addition to submitting these items, must complete a structured reflection capturing lessons learned from the process.

Lean Coaching

A structured assessment of the participant’s understanding and ability, as well as ongoing development needs, will be handled in discussions between the participant and his/her Lean Learning Center Coach. This coaching process will continue for a period to be determined by the coach and the participant. The goal is to support the participant’s learning needs as transformation efforts are made. The scope of this activity will scale up or down depending on need.

Self Study

As part of this program the participant is expected to read four lean or lean leadership books, chosen by the participant’s coach, and prepare structured learning reports back to the coach.

On-Site Demonstration Project

The Lean Master participant must complete a successful lean transformation project, chosen in partnership with his/her Lean Learning Center coach, using all lessons — from tools to rules. The coach will visit the participant and the project to assess competency, providing feedback and acknowledging success.

Lean Master Certificate Award

Upon successful completion of all the above requirements, a Certificate is awarded to the participant. This occurs on-site at the company and includes a luncheon or dinner in his/her honor, a special designation from the Lean Learning Center and a press release acknowledging the accomplishment.