Learning About Lean

Explore Case Studies

Insights into Lean Practices

Welcome to our Case Studies page. Here, you can find useful resources that show how Lean methods work. Explore real-life case studies designed for NGOs. We aim to improve your learning experience and help more organizations understand Lean principles.

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Discover How Lean Transforms Organizations

This section examines how Lean principles can benefit NGOs through case studies that address real challenges and solutions. We believe these examples can build NGO confidence in adopting Lean practices to improve operations. 

Featured Case Studies

Highlighting Transformative Projects

Explore selected case studies that illustrate how Lean practices have positively impacted NGOs. Each story provides key learnings and valuable insights.

Reducing Delays in NGOs

This project showcases how a NGO  transformed its container shipping operations by applying Lean strategies, reducing delays and costs while improving cross-team coordination and service delivery.

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Lean Transformation of Admin Systems in South Sudan

This project highlights how a humanitarian organization in South Sudan used Lean principles to simplify complex administrative workflows, reducing procurement approval steps, improving workspace organization, and increasing efficiency across operations—laying the groundwork for a more agile, scalable support system.

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Simplifying Forecasting: Lean Improvements in Medair’s Finance Process

This case study highlights how Medair improved its finance forecasting process by simplifying tools, clarifying roles, and investing in targeted staff training. The changes led to smoother monthly cycles, fewer errors, and a stronger foundation for cross-team collaboration and efficiency

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Answer Key – 5 Whys Quiz

Q1: What is the purpose of the 5 Whys method?
✅ Correct Answer: To identify the root cause of a problem
📌 Asking “Why?” repeatedly helps move past symptoms and surface-level causes toward something actionable that can be improved.

Q2: When should you stop asking “Why?” during the 5 Whys process?
✅ Correct Answer: When you identify a cause that is within your control and can be addressed
📌 The goal is not to reach an arbitrary number or assign blame — it’s to reach the point where you can intervene meaningfully.

The 7 Wastes Answer Key

Q1: Which of these is a type of waste in Lean?
✅ Correct Answer: Overproduction
📌 Overproduction happens when more is made than needed or before it’s needed — leading to excess inventory, defects, or delay.

Q2: “Motion” waste refers to:
✅ Correct Answer: Unnecessary movement of people during a process
📌 This includes walking, reaching, or shifting frequently between tools or workstations — often overlooked but cumulative in cost.

Answer Key – Value Stream Mapping Quiz

Q1: What is the primary purpose of Value Stream Mapping?
✅ Correct Answer: To visualize a process and identify waste
📌 VSM maps out every step in a process to show how materials and information flow — highlighting delays, inefficiencies, and opportunities to improve.

Q2: Which of the following is least likely to appear on a value stream map?
✅ Correct Answer: Customer names
📌 VSM focuses on process elements like steps, inventory, wait times, and handoffs. Individual customer data is not typically included unless specifically relevant to process variation.

 

Answer Key – 5S Quiz

Q1:
❌ Incorrect Option: “Simplify”
✅ Correct Answer: Sort, Shine, Sustain are all part of 5S — Simplify is not.

Q2:
✅ Correct Answer: “Shine” means clean the workspace and inspect for problems.