Lean vocabulary: the dictionary for your organization's performance

Master the meaning of lean terms and concepts. Get clear definitions that turn the language of management into practical results in your day-to-day work.

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L

1 term

Lean Enterprise

A continuing agreement among all the companies sharing the value stream for a product family to correctly specify value from the end customer's point of view, eliminating wasteful actions and making the value-creating activities occur in continuous flow pulled by the customer. The method for conducting the necessary analysis is described in Womack and Jones 2002.

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S

1 term

Strategy Deployment

A management process that aligns a company's functions and activities, both vertically and horizontally, with its strategic objectives. A specific plan is developed, usually annually, with precise objectives, actions, deadlines, responsibilities and metrics.

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T

2 terms

Target Cost

The development and production cost that a product cannot exceed if the customer is to be satisfied with the product's value and the manufacturer is to obtain an acceptable return on its investment.

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True North

An organization’s strategic and philosophical vision or purpose.

It is a link that can include "hard" business objectives, such as revenue and profit, as well as visionary goals that appeal to the emotions. (Adapted from Dennis 2007).

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Frequently asked questions about the Lean Glossary

It is a glossary of terms and concepts used in lean management. It helps you understand lean terminology by aligning definitions and examples for study, reading and day-to-day application.

Use the search box to look for a specific term, browse by letter or filter by theme. Click the item to see a summary and open the full definition.

Some terms may have translations in other languages. When a translation is not available, the site may show the Portuguese version as a reference.

Yes. New terms may be added and definitions may be revised to keep the content clear, consistent and evolving over time.

Ao longo do Vocabulário, você encontrará links para conceitos relacionados e conteúdos do Lean Institute Brasil, como artigos, materiais da Central do Conhecimento, livros e capacitações.

A academia lean do Lean Institute Brasil oferece trilhas de capacitação EaD e presenciais, incluindo o Programa Prático de Formação Lean (PPFL), que ensina a utilizar frameworks consolidados e a aplicá-los resolvendo problemas de negócio reais.