The Toyota Production System can be realized only when all the workers become tortoises. (Ohno, 1988) - Jeffrey K. Liker

TPS starts with the customer. Always ask, “What value are we adding from the customer’s perspective?” Because the only thing that adds value in any type of process — be it a manufacturing, service, or development process — is the physical or information transformation of that product, service, or activity into something the customer wants.

The Toyota Way provides a model for fast, efficient, and effective execution of long-term strategy based on: Carefully studying the market and planning in detail future products and services Putting safety first for team members and customers Eliminating wasted time and resources in execution of those plans Building quality into every step of design, manufacturing, and service delivery Using new technology effectively to work in harmony with people, not simply replace people Building a culture of people who learn and think scientifically to achieve aligned, challenging goals

It is comforting to believe that if we could only implement the right cells and other lean tools to eliminate waste in the process, we could let it rip and get great results forever . . . or at least for a long time. But processes do not work that way.