What is the primary goal of lean manufacturing methods?

The primary goal of lean manufacturing methods is to minimize waste and enhance value. This approach focuses on efficiency by identifying and eliminating non-value-added activities throughout the manufacturing process. By stripping away excess processes and materials, lean manufacturing aims to create a faster, more efficient production flow, allowing businesses to deliver higher-quality products at lower costs.

This methodology emphasizes value from the customer’s perspective, ensuring that all actions and resources utilized in the production process effectively contribute to delivering what the customer values the most. When waste is minimized, the overall productivity increases while simultaneously improving the end product's value, aligning with the fundamental principles of lean.

While increasing production speed, producing custom products, and improving employee satisfaction are relevant aspects of operational excellence, they serve more as potential outcomes or benefits of implementing lean practices rather than the primary focus of the lean manufacturing philosophy itself.