8 Wastes of Lean Poster (PDF)

The 8 Wastes of Lean Poster defines the eight types of waste based on the Toyota Production System.

The poster is available in two distinct themes: a vibrant color scheme and a professional monochrome version. In both formats, the poster comes in a convenient PDF as well as an editable PPTX format, enabling effortless printing on A3/A4-sized paper from standard office copier machines. This versatile resource can be prominently displayed on employee workstations or distributed alongside your training materials.

The Waste Poster supplements the Lean, Kaizen and 5S training presentation materials. It serves as a takeaway and summary of your Lean Management presentation.

The Waste Poster defines the eight types of waste that occur in most organizations. Examples of each waste category are included.

1. Waiting
Employees waiting for another person, process or equipment.

Examples:
•  Waiting to be served
•  Waiting for information from other departments
•  Person waiting for machine
•  Seeking clarifications (due to unclear communications)
•  Equipment/System downtime

2. Over-Processing
Processing beyond the standard required by the customer.

Examples:
•  Sending emails and cc-ing the entire organization
•  Providing higher quality than is necessary
•  Repeated manual entry of data
•  Unnecessary part/system replacement
•  Excessive reporting or documentation
•  Redundant approvals

3. Transportation
Moving product from one place to another.

Examples:
•  Traveling from counter to counter
•  Report routing
•  Retrieving or storing documents
•  Taking files to another person, or going to get signatures
•  Sub-optimal dispatch
•  Double or triple handling

4. Motion
Extra physical/mental motion that does not add value.

Examples:
•  Reaching, bending or unnecessary motion due to poor ergonomics and office layout
•  Trips to printers and copiers
•  Searching for information in internet, intranet or shared folders
•  Searching for tools, files and supplies

5. Defect
Reprocessing, or correcting work.

Examples:
•  Data entry errors, mistakes or rework
•  Missing information, missed specifications, or lost records
•  Managing subcontractors to correct mistakes
•  Error in documents
•  Incorrect schedules and information
•  Lost or damaged goods/supplies

6. Over-Production
Producing more than what the customer needs.

Examples:
•  Creating reports that no one needs
•  Duplicating computations of similar data
•  Endless consolidation of existing reports
•  Purchasing supplies before they are needed
•  Providing more information than the customer needs

7. Inventory
Building and storing extra products the customer has not ordered.

Examples:
•  Inventory of applications, e.g. claims
•  Inventory of never-been-used office equipment
•  Excess facilities, materials and information
•  Obsolete databases, files and folders
•  Emails waiting to be read
•  Too many office supplies

8. Intellect
Processing beyond the standard required by the customer.

Examples:
•  Narrowly defined jobs and expectations
•  Mismatched work functions with skill sets, e.g. a lawyer doing secretarial jobs
•  Not engaging or listening to employees in finding solutions
•  Lack of teamwork
•  Poor management

The poster also includes a concise definition of waste and distinguishes between pure waste and incidental waste. This visual aid is ideal for quick reference during process improvement meetings or Lean training sessions.