Lean TPS Basic Training develops leadership capability by teaching the principles, structure, and daily habits that make the Toyota Production System a learning system. The modules in this program originate from Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO) in Kariya, Japan, and were adapted through applied learning at Toyota BT Raymond and Toyota L&F (Logistics & Forklifts) in Takahama, Japan.
The complete program includes 10 hours of structured learning, simulation exercises, and applied TPS problem-solving.
This Lean TPS Basic Training Program was developed by David Devoe based on modules created by Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO). The material integrates:
TPS fundamentals from Toyota L&F training in Takahama, Japan
Corporate TPS training modules developed at Raymond headquarters in Greene, New York
Applied Jishuken learning from 13 North American Toyota-led Jishuken events
Leadership application at Raymond Industrial Equipment (1997–2010)
More than 1,000 employees across North America have been trained using this program.
This program includes 7 structured modules:
Introduction to the Toyota Production System (TPS)
5S Thinking and Red Tag
Discovering Muda: The 8 Wastes
Standardized Work
Kaizen: Continuous Improvement
Just In Time
Jidoka
Lean TPS Basic Training develops leadership capability by teaching the principles, structure, and daily habits that make the Toyota Production System a learning system.
This training helps leaders understand how flow, visibility, standardization, and problem-solving connect to protect people, quality, and performance. The goal is to build the discipline and awareness required to support improvement at every level of the organization.
Lean TPS Basic Training strengthens four core areas of leadership capability:
1. Understanding Normal vs Abnormal
Leaders learn how to see flow, detect abnormalities early, and respond in a structured and consistent way.
2. Standardized Work for Leaders
The training explains how leader routines support stability, problem visibility, and daily coaching.
3. Structured Problem-Solving
Participants learn how to investigate issues at the right level, clarify conditions, and follow a systematic improvement cycle.
4. Flow and System Thinking
Training links daily practices to larger system behaviours, showing how task conditions, leadership actions, and process design interact.
Lean TPS Basic Training supports:
Supervisors and managers building foundational TPS habits
Leadership teams developing structured routines
Cross-functional groups participating in Kaizen or Jishuken
Organizations building a consistent leadership system
The purpose is to help leaders shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive prevention.
By improving system visibility and structure, organizations strengthen learning, accountability, and performance.