The Implementation of Lean in Local Authorities

This paper presents research and a framework on how Local Authorities in Ireland and the wider Public Sector can implement Lean within their organisation. The demand for efficiencies and more effective use of public money has been strong in the past number of decades. Lean has been successfully used in both the manufacturing industry and public sector organisations worldwide to meet the demands of efficiency and effectiveness. This paper looks at examples of Lean implementation in the public sector. It finds that leadership, knowledge, culture and buy-in are important factors for the implementation of Lean in Local Authorities. Lean maturity assessment tools have been developed to evaluate the progress of Lean in an organisation and can provide guidance for its implementation. The applicability of a number of these tools were examined. Findings from the research indicate Highways England Lean Maturity Assessment tool was most suited for use in the Local Authority Sector. This was supported by a detailed survey that evaluated the components of Lean in the Local Authority sector and assessed the management level knowledge and characteristics which would be compatible with Lean. The results show an overall positive correlation with managerial characteristics and their compatibility with a lean ethos. The results of this research culminate in a Framework for Local Authorities to utilise for the implementation of Lean. The Framework includes components of strategic and operational planning, acknowledges management and includes the dependencies at each stage of implementation.