Pull Thinking does a great job creating the foundation that makes Lean (and Six Sigma) successful and sustainable. It can also revive a Lean program that is struggling.
The Pull Principle states, "The primary forces that causes all movement is a Pull force; a Push force is the result of (or a response to) a Pull force. The most efficient way to create, grow, and improve is to Pull. Pull is the creative force of nature that no one can avoid or alter".
The book is organized into eight steps. The first step is the introduction of the Pull Principle and the distinction between Push and Pull. The second step shows how Push and Pull impact basic thought processes and decision making. Steps three through six show how to build a Service Flow Pull Structure from purpose statements. This shows everyone who their customer is, and illustrates how service flows through the organization (Note: this is different than a process flow). Each purpose statement or "Pull" has measures tied to them to complete the Four Pull QuestionsSM that define the Pull force. The four pull questions that create four dimensional alignment and agreement with internal customers, external customers, and suppliers are:
1. What is the purpose?
2. What are the measures of success?
3. What is actually being measured?
4. What is the frequency of measurement?
Step Seven presents how to put Pull Thinking into action. Finally, step eight provides case studies, supportive learning examples, and practical guidance for team leaders.
The methodology presented in this book is not only applicable to the workplace, it is applicable throughout every day life. The principles and concepts are a common sense way to deal with people and issues in all aspects of your life.
Pull Thinking is a very easy to read and understand book. The format of the book makes the methodology simple to grasp because of the presentation of the step-by-step approach followed by the case studies and examples. At the beginning of each step there is a simple flow chart that highlights the step presented.
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