OU's Pawley Learning Institute to offer lean thinking webinars

The Pawley Learning Institute at Oakland University is now offering the Lean Thinking Webinar Series, which introduces participants to lean principles, practices and application. The first webinar, entitled "Introduction to Lean Thinking," is free of charge and available on the Pawley Institute Web site, at oakland.edu/lean.

A basic, theoretical introduction, this webinar spans about an hour and provides general information on the nature of lean thinking and its role in organizations. Segments include introductions to lean history, three philosophies of lean and five organizational practices of lean. The webinar also is designed to help organizations decide if implementation of lean practices can be an asset to them.

The Pawley Institute is also offering two interactive webinars from 1-2 p.m. on Friday, March 26, and Friday, April 16. Designed for lean practitioners, the sessions will cover basic lean concepts and tools.

Facilitators are Shannon Flumerfelt, director of Lean Thinking for Schools at the Pawley Institute and assistant professor in educational leadership at Oakland, and Mark Doman, visiting assistant professor in human resource development at OU. Michelle Mich, a lean intern at OU, will act as moderator.

The facilitators will use data collected from a webinar survey to frame concepts and identify what is and is not working well in participants’ organizations. Participants also will be able to ask questions during presentations.

For more information or to register for a webinar, visit oakland.edu/lean.