Type: Solution / Tool

The 7 wastes originated in Japan, where waste is known as “MUDA“. “The seven wastes” is a tool to further categorize “muda” and was originally developed by Toyota's Chief Engineer Taiichi Ohno as the core of the Toyota Production System, also known as Lean Manufacturing. The 7 wastes are at the root of all unprofitable activity within the organization.

The 7 wastes consist of:

1. Defects
2. Over-production
3. Transportation
4. Waiting
5. Inventory
6. Motion
7. Over-Processing

We have listed some links below for further reading:

External Links:

• The Seven Wastes | 7 Mudas
• Identifying and Eliminating The Seven Wastes or Muda
• Seven Wastes of Service- Customer Perception
• Learning to Recognize Process Waste in Financial Services
• 8 Wastes of Lean Manufacturing in a Services Context
• Symbiotic Relationship: The 7 Wastes are Not Equal
• Achieving sustainability through lean production