In Lean thinking, waste (Muda) is defined as anything that does not add value. This can include activities, processes, or the use of resources that consume time or effort without improving the end result. Waste is often hidden within day-to-day ways of working and can become accepted as normal unless it is deliberately identified.
Lean thinking traditionally identifies seven types of waste to help make inefficiencies visible. At its core, waste can be understood as lost time, unnecessary effort, or misused resources, all of which reduce efficiency, increase cost, and impact overall performance. Understanding waste is the first step towards creating more streamlined, reliable, and value-focused ways of working.
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