Lean in Washington state government (continuous improvement)

The citizens of Washington expect state government to deliver essential services with innovation, efficiency and integrity. The Governor has a long-standing commitment to using Lean and other tools to improve government.

What is Lean?

Lean is an improvement system and philosophy that will help us deliver excellent services and programs to our citizens. Based on the Toyota Production System, Lean provides proven principles, methods and tools to develop a culture that encourages employee creativity and problem-solving skills. Washington's businesses and health care industries have discovered the value of Lean as a way of doing business and reaped the rewards.

Washington's Lean journey

Many state agencies have been using Lean tools with good results. The Governor directed agencies throughout state government to use Lean principles and methods to improve value for taxpayers' money.

Learn more about Lean