For some background information check out my previous posts on Push Systems and Pull Systems.
In both the business operations and software development worlds it is often desirable to transition from push processes to pull processes; pull processes better support concepts like just-in-time and have long since been proved superior in most contexts within the business […]

Here’s the second installment in my series of interviews with interesting industry luminaries. I’ve been lucky enough to be able to put some SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) questions to Rand Fishkin. What’s SEO got to do with Agile & Lean software development? Quite a lot in my opinion. Agile & Lean teach us to focus […]

I’ve added a reading list to the site accessible through the main navigation in the top bar. The list isn’t intended to be a comprehensive list of all things Agile and Lean. Instead I’ve tried to capture what I think are the most valuable books around on the topics covered in this site. Here’s a […]

I’m going to take a break from looking at Lean process principles and talk about a really practical application I’ve found of one of the tools used by Toyota. Let’s apply the 5S to IT strategy and in particular a strategic view of application portfolio management.
The 5S
The 5S are five terms beginning with ‘S’ that […]

Lean Enterprise Australia are hosting Lean 2008 at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne on the 26th and 27th February. John Shook, one of the first Americans employed by Toyota and the co-author of ‘Learning to See’ will be there providing opening comments and some introductory sessions on Lean product and process development. A few big […]

Jeffrey Liker has just released his new book, Toyota Culture: The Heart and Soul of the Toyota Way. I’ve just ordered a copy so hopefully I’ll be able to share my thoughts soon.

I’ve published my first cut of an Agile Glossary. You can navigate to it from the main menu at the top of the site or you can go directly by clicking this link ‘Agile Glossary‘.
Let me know of anything missing or anything you think I should include. My reading list and an area to share […]

This is the first in a series of interviews with industry guru’s who I think are doing some particularly interesting work. Owen has kindly agreed to monitor the comments and respond to any follow-up questions. Enjoy…
About Owen :: Owen Berkeley-Hill is an independent consultant specialising in lean operations and lean transformations. Owen has over 35 […]

Pull systems are properly cool. Think of it this way, push systems are like The Everly Brothers. They kind of served a purpose at the time but now they’re just dated and a bit naff. You’d never go and buy a record but they did influence some cool people. Well, pull systems are like Led […]

A push system is a means of control in a business process that uses predictive information to develop a plan. Push systems all have the common feature of being based on forecasts or schedules of customer demand and are closely associated with ‘batch and queue’ techniques.
Let’s start by putting this in the context of a […]