In the current scenario of digital disruption, where artificial intelligence and data orientation are booming, organisations are looking to differentiate themselves and find disruptive innovation. However, a large number of innovations can emerge simply by questioning and reviewing how we are currently working.
This is where leanovation comes in: the combination of lean and innovation in a global project that brings lean frameworks closer to the whole organisation and applies them to change ways of working and create value in a more efficient, adaptive and innovative way.
The aim is to generate a light improvement and innovation system, which requires little investment and involves the entire organisation, orienting it towards processes and their improvement, and at the same time, to implement productivity and efficiency, agile frameworks and innovation in the culture of the teams and the organisation.
The keys to a leanovation project
Although the challenge of improving productivity and efficiency through lean is not an easy task, there are some recommendations to be considered in order to achieve it:
- Getting the organisation to question the status quo: leanovation starts with a fundamental question: Why do we do things this way? By questioning our practices, we open the door to continuous improvement and innovation. It’s not just about optimising processes, it’s about challenging entrenched assumptions and looking for new ways of doing things.
- Creating an agile and lean mindset: leanovation adopts lean principles, which focus on creating value and eliminating waste. This involves starting from a process base – available to all – and above all, an agile mindset, the constant search for improvement and adaptability in the face of change. Teams must be willing to learn by doing and adjust their approach according to results.
- Involve the whole organisation: Lean innovation is not just for one department or a select group. It must be a joint effort that involves all levels of the organisation. From top management to operational teams, everyone must be committed to finding efficiencies and exploring new ideas.
4 steps to implement a Lean Innovation project in your organisation
- Plenary launch: Start by raising awareness throughout the organisation about the challenge of leanovation. Communicate the vision and the importance of changing the way we work. This is not just a project; it is a cultural transformation.
- Strategic selection of areas for innovation: together with a sponsoring project team, identify and agree on processes and areas where significant improvements and innovations can be found. It is not about changing everything at once, but focusing on what really matters and will have the support and sponsorship of management.
- Agile teams and continuous learning: build agile teams that are willing to learn as they go. The “learning by doing” approach is essential. These teams should be composed of diverse people with complementary skills and an open mindset.
- Accompaniment and consolidation: As teams undertake their first sprints of work, be sure to provide the necessary support. Lean innovation is not a one-off project; it is a continuous journey towards excellence.
Human Resources as a driver of leanovation
The involvement of Human Resources is crucial to the success of leanovation. HR must lead the training, preparation and accompaniment of the teams, ensuring at all times a “light” approach, which engages the teams and is understood as a transformation.
When we talk about leanovation, we are talking about a transformation project, and as such, it has to be driven and accompanied by human resources support.
Only in this way can we ensure that we foster a culture that values productivity, efficiency and innovation.
Leanovation is not just a methodology; it is a philosophy that should permeate the DNA of the organisation. It is more than a passing fad. It is a way of thinking and working that allows us to adapt and improve productivity through an agile and innovative culture.
The ROI of a leanovation project
The main benefit of a leanovation project is that, immediately, efficiencies and improvements are achieved that translate into improved customer experience, employee experience and savings in cost, time or effort.
But in addition to this, a leanovation project achieves:
- Democratising processes and their improvement, with an approach that brings lean in a friendly and simple way to the whole organisation.
- Work on “real” processes and ways of working, which generate an immediate ROI not only in economic terms, but also in terms of improving the employee experience.
- Generate people’s motivation towards efficiency and innovation by developing the mindset of questioning the way things are done in order to gain efficiency.
Create a “light” framework for innovation, providing teams and the organisation with work routines that facilitate the generation and execution of improvement proposals.