Lean Management – learn remotely: Can that work? The systematic check

As is well known, Corona has led to a significant leap in development in digital learning formats. After a few months of experience, the question arises as to what makes sense after Corona and where there are limits. This can be determined very well with a systematic analysis of the following questions.

1. Content: What is the content?
Theory: In principle, theoretical knowledge can always be imparted virtually. In the case of Lean, for example, that would be the basics and an introduction to the individual methods.
Practice: Basically, there are many ways to carry out practical exercises virtually. The limits are given when it comes to work on machines or on the shop floor, such as set-up workshops or 5S campaigns directly in the factory. The haptic handling, for example the sorting and standardization of a work environment, or the handles for setting up a machine, cannot be replaced virtually.
On the other hand, lean administration is particularly suitable for the online format, because many of the processes to be improved are already fed up with digital. Exercises on all methods from the Lean Administration Toolbox, on Change, Coaching & Moderation. For example, the digital value stream recording also leads to a high learning effect.

2. Target group: How is the motivation and learning ability?
In the target group, you should look for motivation and digital learning ability. Face-to-face training often has a certain “wellness effect” – exchange with colleagues, coffee & Cookies, a nice lunch, etc. Since this is largely omitted, the participants should have a strong, personal motivation to learn. The more important the learning material is for them, the better they can cope with the virtual format.
And digital learning ability is growing very fast when online training becomes the norm. The same applies to the possible duration of a virtual format (by the way, also for the trainers!). Therefore, you should set up suitable time windows and not immediately start with an 8-hour training session.

3. What tools/learning application does the company have?
There are now a number of tools that enable interactive live online training and also work very well in practice. In addition to my personal favorite Zoom, there are a number of other tools that support the interactive format and are already being used in companies.

4. Which learning format is used?
There is a wide range of digital learning formats, from pure self-study to accompanied learning to live online training, which is the best way to replace face-to-face training. The advantages are the direct contact between trainer and participants, the number of participants is similarly limited here as in face-to-face events. It enables getting to know each other, discussions, interactive exchange and exercises. And of course this works best if all participants also switch on the camera and sound and the number of participants is limited.

5. How is the learning material processed didactically?
It is a big mistake to believe that you can record a presence training with the camera and already have a finished online training. On the contrary, as soon as points 1 to 4 have been clarified, the real work begins. Content and especially the exercises and interactive parts must be carefully planned and prepared. The effort should not be underestimated and of course there are limits. For example, some simulation games are very difficult to map online.

Conclusion: Learning Lean remotely is indeed possible, with the limitations listed above, and also offers some advantages. In view of the current Corona situation, it is not foreseeable when face-to-face events will be possible again without any problems and the time until then can be used constructively for knowledge building. But even after Corona, the advantages continue to exist, such as lower travel costs, time savings and, in particular, the opportunity to build up knowledge together across locations or in international teams. And ideally, live online training is always supplemented by a few face-to-face events in which the participants can get to know each other physically.