Any business operation, no matter what size, will roll out projects that allow them to grow and evolve in line with consumer and societal needs. If these projects aren’t overseen, there is a high risk of them failing to meet objectives, going way off track, or far exceeding the budget that was originally set. 

As a result, there is a need for people within the business to watch over the running of these projects to ensure they are delivered on time and within budget, not to mention fit the purpose they were designed for.  

If you’re a Project Manager, or you’re a highly organised individual who is contemplating this career move, you are no doubt aware of the need for exceptional project management skills to succeed in this role. However, what you may not be aware of is the prospect of lean project management, and the impact gaining this additional skillset can have on your career. 

What is Project Management? 

You are probably familiar with the term project management as it is often banded around within the business domain. However, the nitty-gritty of the role often remains somewhat of a mystery, with many onlookers just being aware that Project Managers are juggling multiple elements at once.  

If you’re asking yourself ‘What does a Project Manager do?’, the short answer is they are the people who make sure a concept is turned into a reality. No matter whether it’s a new product, service, or process, if a business wants to make change, the Project Manager makes sure it happens.  

Project Managers do this by meeting with the required stakeholders to establish the project brief and set expectations.  

 

 

This will establish: 

• Stakeholder requirements  
• The project scope  
• A breakdown of the work involved 
• The project activities 
• The sequence of the activities 
• Estimations of required resources, costs, and activity duration 
• Contingencies 
• A performance measurement baseline 
• Relevant subsidiary plans (cost, communications, risk etc.) 
• The documentation procedure/PM platforms that will be used 

With all these variables confirmed, Project Managers can then meet with the relevant team members to run through the project in full, delegate tasks and inform everyone involved about the expectations that have been set.   

From here they will monitor the progress of the project, put out any fires relating to project issues and report back to stakeholders to keep them up to speed with its development.  

What is Lean Management? 

A more recent turn of phrase that is quickly becoming part of the dialogue in business is lean management. This was initially coined by Toyota in the 1950s for manufacturing purposes, but it is gaining momentum as more businesses look inward to find the solutions to their problems.  

The Project Management Institute describe the lean management meaning as: 

“To be Lean is to provide what is needed, when it is needed, with the minimum amount of materials, equipment, labour and space.” 

As such, the notion of lean management is to maximise value but minimise waste at the same time. Toyota came up with their own Lean model to identify the enemies of the Lean process and areas they should look to improve; these are known as the 3M: 

1. Muda – Waste: anything that consumes resources without providing extra value 
2. Muri – Overburden: overusing equipment or personnel 
3. Mura – Unevenness: leading to decreased efficiency and long-term productivity 

So, where the role of a Project Manager is to keep all the wheels of a project in motion, a Lean Manager looks for ways to ‘trim the fat’ while providing the best possible service. 

What is Meant by Lean Project Management? 

Project management and lean management are both valuable roles that are effective in their own right, but collectively, they are much more powerful. Any Project Manager who adopts lean management principles will become a valued asset in any business.  

This is because Lean Project Managers can: 

• Cut lead times 
• Reduce costs for inventory and storage 
• Minimise project costs overall 
• Enhance productivity and efficiency  
• Deliver better quality results 
• Increase customer satisfaction  

To do this effectively, Project Managers must first take the time to learn the lean management principles and how they can be applied in their business. 

 

 

The Principles of Lean Project Management 

There are five key lean project management principles you should learn to heighten your performance as a Project Manager. These were first published in the late 1990s and have since helped Project Managers to take their careers, and their value as an employee, to the next level. 

The lean project management principles include: 

1. Value – Take an external look at the project to determine its value in the eyes of the customer. Consider the customers need, the level of demand and whether the project will deliver the required results 
2. Value Stream – Create a map that lays out the entire process, from start to finish, that will result in delivering the end goal. Once established, review the map for wasteful areas that can be cut from the process 
3. Flow – Create an improvement plan that represents the future state of the project with the waste that was highlighted in the value stream removed 
4. Pull – Adopt a pull-based system from the needs of the customer, limiting inventory holding and creating products just in time for when they are needed 
5. Perfection – Focus on the factors that add value and adopt new processes for improvement from what was learned 

With this framework, Lean Project Managers will help the business they work within become more efficient and effective. Not only will they save money and heighten customer value, but they will also streamline the processes involved in business activities.  

How You Can Learn Lean Project Management Skills 

There are numerous courses available that focus on giving you project management skills, but if you aim to incorporate the lean management principles in your learning you will need a more specific syllabus.  

This is where Lean Sigma Management courses come in, as they are designed to elevate your knowledge in lean project management, no matter if you are an entry-level Project Manager or you are already established within this line of work.  

You can study a: 

Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Training Course 

This entry-level course builds your knowledge from the ground up by exploring business-focused modules that focus on methods of implementing significant improvements in business. You will learn the value of boosting the morale of the project management team as well as different tactics to enhance customer loyalty. 

You will also cover other lean project management essential areas like root cause analysis, project targeting criteria, value stream mapping and key elements of successful lean transformation. 

After completing this course, you will become the go-to person for solving problems in the workplace. 

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt ISO 18404 Training Course 

Take your lean project management skills to the next level by studying the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training course. The knowledge gained at this level aligns you perfectly with project management roles with heightened responsibility. After this, you could become anything from a Quality Manager to a Project Engineer.  

This is because the course dives into advanced lean project management techniques such as the DMAIC Cycle (Define Phase, Measure Phase, Analyse Phase, Improve Phase and Control Phase), Lean and Risk Management, as well as SPC Tools and Techniques.  

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt ISO 18404 Training Course 

If your aim is to move towards the top of the ladder, the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt course is designed to help learners progress towards a senior leadership role in project management.  

This is due to the course taking a detailed look at how you can standardise work, enhance customer satisfaction, reduce waste and defects, as well as increase business profits.  

To do this you will explore the most advanced methods of implementing lean project management. From advanced data collection to probability and analysis, generating solutions and sustaining change, you will develop the ability to manage business strategy in addition to improving a wide spectrum of sectors across the business you work in. 

 

 

Study Lean Six Sigma Online! 

To manage projects seamlessly and pinpoint areas for optimisation at every level takes a specific skillset, something which you can gain online with Stonebridge Associated Colleges in one of our highly targeted courses.  

By providing Lean Six Sigma project management courses online, you can get the knowledge that will progress your career from home. With no classes to attend and all exams included as part of the course package, you have everything you need from the moment you enrol.  

What’s more, our online courses come with the additional benefit of professional tutor support, so you can still get the advice you need despite studying remotely.  

Find out more about how you can get the lean project management skills employers are looking for now by speaking with our Course Executives. Call them now on 0121 392 8288 or visit our support centre online.