Title: Waste analysis framework for lean production: pilot study in a healthcare setting

Authors: Zahra Akrami; Seyed-Hadi Mirghaderi; Ali Naghi Mosleh Shirazi

Addresses: Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, Management and Social Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran ' Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, Management and Social Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran ' Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, Management and Social Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract: This paper utilises the constructive research approach for developing a systematic and step-by-step waste analysis framework. The purpose is to facilitate the implementation of lean operations in organisations. The suggested framework consists of seven steps: 1) finding the cause of wastes; 2) finding solutions; 3) diagramming the relationship among wastes, causes, and solutions; 4) estimating the cost of wastes; 5) determining the weight of wastes; 6) clustering wastes; 7) ranking waste clusters. By implementing the proposed framework in a hospital ward, which tends to be a lean healthcare system, we found that there are three clusters in 20 wastes. Then, we ranked the clusters concerning the cost and importance of the wastes. Real-world results confirmed that this method has the capability of providing a scientific way for the selection of a cluster of wastes with higher priority than others and subsequently, facilitating removal of the cluster.

Keywords: muda; waste analysis; waste elimination; lean; lean production; lean healthcare; lean hospital; waste analysis framework; WAF; constructive research approach; CRA.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2021.118080

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2021 Vol.34 No.1, pp.102 - 122

Received: 24 Nov 2019
Accepted: 20 Feb 2020

Published online: 12 Oct 2021 *

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