The power of lean thinking in a developing world

The power of lean thinking in a developi...

What can we learn from technology advances in developing economies? A 2010 United Nations study found that cell phones are one of the most effective advancements in history to lift people out of poverty. Inexpensive cellular networks help remote villagers make informed and skillful decisions on when and where to bring their products to market, and for how much. While only 4% of households in Africa have Internet access, and few have bank accounts, more than 50% have cell phones — so the cell phone becomes the channel for communication, collaboration, commerce, and...
Khuloud Odeh, Urban Institute

Khuloud Odeh, Urban Institute

The power of Lean to modernize mission-driven organizations What can Lean teach us about the improvement of non-profit business processes? In 2014, The Urban Institute, the Social & Economic Policy Research Center based in Washington DC in the US, turned to Lean to help modernize organizational processes from the inside out, beginning with their grant and contract proposal development process. Responding to requests for proposals is the primary method for Urban to obtain new projects and funding, and it was identified by 68% of surveyed staff as being challenging,...