it's not easy being lean ...

According to the principles of lean management, excellence means never being quite satisfied. You always have to strive to be just a little bit better, to get rid of just a little more waste. And the supply chain is no exception.

For those interested in learning more about applying the concept of kaizen or "continuous improvement" to the supply chain, Penn State University offers an executive education course called "Applying Lean Principles Across the Supply Chain." Professors Norman Aggon, Frank Chelko, David Demers, and David Veech will present a systematic approach to implementing lean management principles across the supply chain—both inside the company and with external trading partners.

In the span of five days, participants will review the building blocks of lean thinking, examine examples of lean projects, and experiment with different lean tools. They will discuss how to apply lean to customer relationship management, collaborative product design and management, and demand planning. Finally, students will participate in a lean simulation that involves a contractor that is working with three subcontractors to complete a 36-month project to build and deliver 15 F35V Strike Fighter Aircraft.

The class takes place at Penn State's University Park campus from June 9-13. For more information, visit www.smeal.psu.edu/psep/lsc.html.