The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) and The Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing are collaborating with industry and academia in the development of a new industry standard for Lean Certification, scheduled for launch in this year’s fourth quarter.
The new certification will be designed for manufacturing professionals who have chosen to pursue Lean in their career paths, and want recognition and credentials to illustrate their knowledge and proficiency in application of Lean principles. Three key aspects of the certification will include: “mentoring” by and of certification candidates; “portfolio,” to illustrate how Lean principles were applied within an organization, as well as documenting the results achieved and lessons learned; and the “examination” that assesses knowledge of Lean principles.
The Lean Certification is currently comprised of four levels, the three organizations said. The first level is intended to measure knowledge of Lean principles. Candidates at the second level should be capable of applying Lean principles and tools to drive improvements and show measurable results.
At the third level, Lean practitioners are expected to be senior employees/team leaders who are capable of applying Lean principles and tools to drive improvements and show measurable results, plus orchestrate the transformation of a complete value stream. At the highest level of Lean certification, the practitioner is at a point of influence and authority over assets, processes and people, with a solid understanding of all aspects of lean transformation across the entire enterprise.
