Lean4Gain Community Development Fund

🥉 Bronze Level

"Building the Foundation for Lean Thinking"

Overview:
This level is designed for individuals new to Lean. It provides a strong foundation in Lean philosophy, basic tools, and terminology. Participants learn to identify waste, understand customer value, and begin applying simple Lean improvements in their daily work.

Who It’s For:
Operators, office staff, new hires, team members, or anyone who needs an introduction to Lean Thinking.

Courses Included:

• Lean White Belt
  • Explore the origins of Lean through Ford, Deming, and the Toyota       Production System
  • Learn the 5 Lean Principles (Value, Value Stream, Flow, Pull, Perfection)
  • Understand the 7 Wastes and how they affect efficiency
  • Recognize the cultural and strategic value of Lean Thinking
• Lean Yellow Belt
  • Develop practical skills in identifying waste and non-value-added activities
  • Apply Lean principles to improve flow, reduce lead time, and deliver customer value
  • Begin working with activity sheets and visual tools like VSM and 5S
• Lean Green Belt
  • Learn A3 Thinking to solve problems systematically
  • Use the PDCA cycle for structured, team-based improvement
  • Understand pilot project implementation and how to set direction for Lean teams

Learning Outcomes:

• Speak the language of Lean
• Recognize improvement opportunities in your work
• Participate in Lean teams and Kaizen events
• Apply PDCA and A3 methods to daily problems
• Establish your personal pathway to excellence

🥈 Silver Level

"Applying Lean Tools to Improve Flow, Quality, and Stability"

Overview:
This level deepens Lean understanding by teaching how to apply tactical tools that support operational excellence. Participants learn to map value streams, create standards, improve flow, and visually manage operations. These tools enable sustainable improvements in quality, safety, productivity, and cost.

Who It’s For:
Frontline leaders, CI practitioners, supervisors, quality staff, engineers, and Lean team members.

Courses Included:

All from Bronze Level, plus:

Lean Toolbox Courses:

• Value Stream Mapping
  • Visualize material and information flow
  • Create Current State and Future State maps
  • Perform Gap Analysis and design Lean roadmaps
• 5S Workplace Organization
  • Implement workplace standards: Sort, Straighten, Shine,       Standardize, Sustain
  • Build pride, discipline, and safety in the work environment
  • Use audits and red tagging to sustain results
• Visual Controls
  • Enable real-time process visibility
  • Apply dashboards, metrics boards, color coding, and Andon systems
  • Promote accountability and quick decision-making
• Standardized Work
  • Document best practices for consistency and repeatability
  • Create SOPs, job breakdown sheets, and training guides
  • Build a platform for training, stability, and continuous       improvement
• Jidoka (Built-in Quality)
  • Implement quality at the source
  • Use error-proofing, batch size one, and total productive       maintenance (TPM)
  • Empower teams to stop and fix problems when they occur
• Just-In-Time (JIT)
  • Reduce inventory and improve flow
  • Apply Kanban, continuous flow, point-of-use storage, and Heijunka
  • Align production with customer demand in real-time

Learning Outcomes:

• Lead department-level Kaizen and improvement projects
• Create stability through Lean standards and visual systems
• Eliminate waste and improve safety, quality, and delivery
• Coach teams on Lean tools and applications
• Create a Lean cell or flow line using JIT and Jidoka principles