TPS is the Thinking People System

Recently, a friend who is a Lean Manager for a local aerospace company gave us some insight into how Toyota is presenting TPS to the world. After studying at several Toyota facilities in Kentucky, he informed us that they are now calling TPS the Thinking People System. This new name emphasizes that TPS is not just a set of tools but a people-centered philosophy.

TPS is a Philosophy, not a Tool

Some companies implement Lean alongside other methodologies, missing the point that Lean (TPS) is a way of thinking. Toyota is emphasizing that TPS is not a set of tools, but that it is a system. It is a people-centered system. While it was previously known as the “Thinking Production System,” the new name “Thinking People System” emphasizes the importance of people.

TPS is All About Rapidly Improving Processes

In the Thinking Production System, everyone knows what Standard Work is and tries to improve it a little bit each day. Though you may not be able to make changes to your process every day, thinking about it as you work is key. The mature Lean system is all about people rapidly turning the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) cycle to improve processes daily. It is not a static model that you can implement and be done with.

People Drive Improvement

When abnormalities occur, Visual Management devices such as Andons notify managers and engineers, and they work together to drive improvement. Here again, it is people thinking rather than computers or software systems that drive improvement. Toyota’s Creative Idea Suggestion System is a testament to this philosophy. It has resulted in more than one idea per employee per month being implemented decade after decade.

Investing in People is Key to TPS Success

Toyota takes the long view and invests in their people, and this is one thing required of TPS. Corporations driven by short-term profit and quarterly results may struggle to implement the Thinking People System. In contrast, organizations that prioritize people and continuous improvement will find TPS easier to implement. The Toyota Production System may be a more straightforward option for these organizations.

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