Lean Lessons from the Office Kitchen: The Art of Making Coffee
You would think making coffee is as simple as a two-step dance move, but throw in some Lean principles, and suddenly, it’s an entire show!
Hey Friend,
Today, I was all set to take you on a deep dive into the history of Lean. But then I thought, "Who really wants a history lesson right now?" Just the thought of it made me feel like I needed Imodium. So, instead, I decided to break down the 5 principles of Lean using a scenario that every office worker is intimately familiar with— making instant coffee. Let's skip the dull textbook stuff (that will come later) and dive straight into my office kitchen adventures.
Before moving to England, I never realized how crucial coffee is to the daily grind and hustle. Back in Nigeria, we’re more likely to kick off our day with “bread and akara” from the vendor at the junction. But here? A cup of coffee or tea is the lifeblood of the office—coffee is king!
Picture this: It’s a busy morning, and I’m on a mission to make a cup of coffee for myself and my colleague let’s call her Lillian wants a cup of black coffee. Now, before you imagine me in some fancy kitchen with state-of-the-art equipment, let me set the record straight- it is nothing sophisticated. We’re talking about a classic office kitchen setup: a jar of soluble coffee, a kettle with some signs of limescale, and mismatched mugs. You would think making coffee is as simple as a two-step dance move, but throw in some Lean principles, and suddenly, it’s an entire show!
1. Defining Value
First, we need to understand what Lilian actually wants. In Lean, defining value means figuring out exactly what the "customer" needs. Lilian wants a simple, strong cup of black coffee—no milk, no sugar, just pure coffee.
Lesson: Value is what the "customer" (Lilian) truly desires or what the customer would pay for. If I decided to add milk or sugar thinking it would enhance her coffee, I would literally be wasting time and resources on something she doesn’t want. Lean is all about providing what is valuable to the customer without any unnecessary extras.
2. Mapping the Value Stream
Next up, let’s break down every step it takes to make that cup of coffee: boil the water, measure the right amount of coffee, pour some hot water into a mug with the coffee, and give it a quick stir.
Lesson: Mapping the value stream involves understanding each step and identifying where waste might occur. For example, if I fill the kettle to the top instead of just boiling enough water for one cup, I’m wasting time and energy. Or if I measure out half the coffee jar, I’m wasting product. Lillian likes her coffee strong, but half the jar would have her buzzing for a week straight!. By mapping the process, I can see exactly where to streamline steps and avoid wasting resources
3. Creating Flow
Creating flow means making sure each step moves smoothly into the next without interruption.
Lesson: If I start boiling the water but don’t have a clean mug ready, I’m causing a delay. By preparing everything in advance—clean mug on standby, coffee jar within reach—I ensure there’s no downtime. Every step flows seamlessly from one to the next, making the whole process quick and efficient.
4. Using a Pull System
The pull system is about making only what’s needed when it’s needed. In this case, I’m not making a pot of coffee or multiple cups just in case someone else wants some. I’m making exactly what Lilian asked for: one cup of black coffee.
Lesson: This prevents waste. No extra coffee sitting around getting cold, no wasted coffee granules, and no leftover water in the kettle. A pull system ensures we’re using resources wisely, making just enough coffee to meet Lilian’s need at that moment.
5. Pursuing Perfection
Finally, pursuing perfection is about constantly looking for ways to improve the process. Maybe today I noticed that by pre-measuring the coffee granules while the water boils, I save a few seconds. Or I realized that by using a kettle with a quicker boil time, the coffee is ready faster. Lillian explicitly told me she preferred 2 spoonfuls of coffee instead of just 1 spoonful which I made.
Lesson: The lesson here is clear as day. Lean is all about continuous improvement—constantly refining the process to make it faster, better, and more efficient. Even with something as simple as making a cup of instant coffee, there’s always room for improvement. Tomorrow, I might discover a better way to store the coffee granules to keep them fresher, or a new method to boil water faster. Like I said in my last post, it’s all about never settling and always looking for ways to do things just a bit better.
Wrapping It Up
So, there you have it! Making a simple cup of instant coffee for Lilian can teach us a lot about Lean principles. Lean Methodology is about doing more with less. It’s about understanding what’s truly valued, cutting out the waste, creating a smooth process, making only what’s needed, and always striving for improvement.
Take these principles and apply them to your day, whether you’re at work, at home, or even just making a quick cup of coffee. Lean isn’t just a method—it’s a mindset!
Until next time, keep it Lean and keep improving!
Tomiwa
Lean Process Improvement Enthusiast
(Taking it, One Newsletter at a Time…)