Find here below my personal selection and reviews of the best books on “lean manufacturing”. For each one, I detail what you can find inside the book, why it’s worth reading it, and when to read it in your lean learning journey.
1) Toyota Production System: Beyond Large-Scale Production
Inside the book:
This is the diary of the founder of the Toyota Production System, Taiichi Ohno. It is his retrospective on his industrial history. It emphasizes continuous improvement, waste reduction, and respect for people
Why is worth reading it:
This book explains the birth of Toyota’s production system from the founder’s perspective. A wise teacher recommended reading it yearly to truly grasp its core concepts.
When to read it:
Start your Lean journey by reading this book. Then, read it again once a year as you apply what you learn. The process is simple: read, apply, repeat.
How strongly I recommend it: 10/10
[Toyota Production System – T. Ohno, 152 Pages, 1988]2) Learning to See: Value Stream Mapping to Add Value and Eliminate MUDA
Inside the book:
This book guides you on how to make your first value stream map. It is a step-by-step guide and it provides helpful tips and warns about common mistakes.
Why is worth reading it:
This book is a great starting point for understanding Lean by the American method. It’s part of a series that will guide you in applying other Lean concepts too.
When to read it:
Start your Lean journey by reading this book. Then, create your first value stream. After that, read the book again and make another value stream. Repeat this process as needed.
How strongly I recommend it: 10/10
[Learning To See – M. Rother, J. Shook, 102 Pages, 1999]3) Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation
Inside the book:
Discover true tales of lean implementation in businesses of all sizes, from the USA, Europe, and Japan. So there’s no reason not to start using lean manufacturing.
Why is worth reading it:
This book shares true stories about the advantages of using Lean Manufacturing. It will broaden your understanding and will teach you to start from the voice of the customer.
When to read it:
Read this book after your first lean implementations tests. This book will show you that Lean implementation works for any size, place, or product once you’ve started your first one.
How strongly I recommend it: 10/10
[Lean Thinking – P. Womack, D. Jones, 396 Pages, 2003]4) Creating Continuous Flow
Inside the book:
This is the second book in the Lean Enterprise Institute series. It guides you through designing a manufacturing cell, including helpful tips and common mistakes to avoid.
Why is worth reading it:
Optimizing Production Unit Resources. You will find a realistic example on a manufacturing cell design.
When to read it:
After creating your future value stream, read this book. Then, start implementing the first manufacturing cell.
How strongly I recommend it: 10/10
[Creating Continuous Flow – M. Rother, R. Harris, 103 Pages, 2001]
5) Making Material Flow
Inside the book:
This is the third book in the Lean Enterprise Institute series. It guides you on how to set up a system that improves material flow and prevents stock-out situations. It even includes helpful math formulas!
Why is worth reading it:
This book teaches you to size a warehouse, set up a Kanban system, establish the standard route, and more.
When to read it:
When you’ve set up your first production area and are ready to improve your warehouse by storing items, it’s time to use the book. The book will guide you on how to make these improvements effectively.
How strongly I recommend it: 10/10
[Making Materials Flow – C. Harris, R. Harris, E. Wilson, 93 Pages, 2003]6) This is Lean
Inside the book:
This book addresses the issue of when and to what extent one should prioritize flow efficiency over resource efficiency. Furthermore, it provides an excellent explanation of the definition of LEAN.
Why is worth reading it:
Lean transformations often get stuck because there is reluctance to sacrifice short-term resource efficiency for a greater long-term goal. This book helps understand the long-term benefit.
When to read it:
It is a book for managers who can and should make decisions about lean transformation. It is a book to be read immediately if you are a mid-to-senior level manager.
How strongly I recommend it: 10/10
[This is Lean – N. Modig, P. Ahlstrom, 229 Pages, 2012]