Top Ten Books for Lean ++

In order to understand the concepts underlying Lean ++, the following top ten list provides the reader with the best underlying texts in each area. Items 1, 2, and 3 focus on Lean and the specialties of value stream mapping (VSM) and voice of the customer. Item 4 integrates Lean and Six Sigma and a bit of Theory of Constraints (TOC). This book really demonstrates how elements of each discipline are being included into one another. Items 5 and 6 are the heart of TOC written in a story format. Items 7 and 8 are more academic texts on TOC. Item 9 is the foundation of all requirement and resource planning systems. Item 10 opens the door on the world of sustainability.




To get a quick introduction read books 1 and 5.  Keep 4 for an optional reading and 9 and 10 for deeper insight.



1. Womack, James P. and Daniel T. Jones. Lean Thinking. New York, New York: Free Press, 2003

2. Rother, Mike and John Shook. Learning to See. Cambridge , Mass.: Lean Enterprise Institute, 2003

3. Barnard, William and Thomas F. Wallace. The Innovation Edge - Creating Strategic Breakthroughs Using the Voice of the Customer. New London, N. H.: Oliver Wight Ltd. Publications, 1995

4. George, Michael L.. Lean Six Sigma: Combining Six Sigma Quality with Lean Speed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2002

5. Goldratt, Eliyahu and Jeff Cox. The Goal. Great Barrington, Mass.: The North River Press, 1992

6. Goldratt, Eliyahu. It’s Not Luck. Great Barrington, Mass.: The North River Press, 1994

7. Schragenheim, Eli and H. William Dettmer. Manufacturing at Warp Speed: Optimizing Supply Chain Financial Performance. New York, New York: St. Lucie Press, 2001

8. Dettmer, H. William. The Logical Thinking Process: A Systems Approach to Complex Problem Solving. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: ASQ Quality Press, 2007

9. Orlicky, Joseph. Material Requirements Planning. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1975

10. Dunphy, Dexter and Andrew Griffiths and Suzanne Benn. Organizational Change for Corporate Sustainability. Second Edition, New York, New York: Routledge, 2007

Lean today

In today’s litany of tools for business process improvement, Lean is not enough. It has augmented previous disciplines like ERP and been added to by TOC and six sigma. There is also an emerging understanding that Lean is a fundamental step on the path to becoming a green enterprise.




“Lean ++” is the concept that all these elements fit together in an integrated whole that can be adjusted to fit the needs of each enterprise. As one reads the literature one finds elements form the other disciplines appearing. Each tool has a unique area where it is strongest:



– Theory of Constraints (TOC)

• What, why, how

– Lean

• Order, JIT, continuous improvement

– Six Sigma

• Process control, variation reduction

– ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)

• Long term integrated planning

– Green

• Minimization of resource utilization



For a business to truly compete in the modern world it must combine them. Lean is the easiest starting point thus the name “Lean ++.”