Articles
Writing on lean management, the Toyota Production System, problem solving, and leadership.
Latest Writing
Published on the Lean Enterprise Institute Lean Post, 2025–2026.
Better Thinking Faster
Debate within the lean community often focuses on how fast or slow to tackle problems and undertake change. Art Smalley argues that fast or slow misses the point: within an organization, different levels of problem solving exist — and the cadence at each level is determined by the type of work, the mechanisms in place, and the type of problem being addressed.
Four Moments from the 2026 Lean Summit that Stayed with Me
I hadn't attended one of LEI's lean conferences in over five years. The last one was right before the COVID outbreak shut everything down, and I was honestly curious about what I would find when I walked into the 2026 Lean Summit in Houston.
Management: Designing the System Where People and AI Work Together
In previous articles in this four-part series, we explored why the impact of AI varies so widely across organizations. The technology itself is increasingly accessible and powerful, yet results remain uneven. Some teams see meaningful gains, while others struggle or stall. The difference is not the tools.
Behavior: The Variable You Have to Build
Technology alone doesn't deliver results. You can purchase an andon system or AI Copilot, but you cannot purchase the skills and behaviors that make them effective.
Technology Is the Easy Piece of the Equation
In my last article, I introduced a simple but unforgiving equation: Impact = Technology × Behavior × Management. If any of the three components approaches zero, the product collapses.
Technology × Behavior × Management = Impact
Technology alone won't deliver results. From 'lean wallpaper' to AI hype, the pattern is the same. Real, lasting impact is a product of three factors: Technology × Behavior × Management.
The Five Levels of AI Collaboration
Why do some people get brilliant insights from AI while others get noise and frustration? The answer isn't the technology, but the method. Discover the five levels of AI collaboration and learn how to unlock consistent, high-quality results.
Lean AI Webinar: A New Way to Learn, Practice, and Apply Lean Thinking
Can AI accelerate your lean journey? A compelling discussion with Art Smalley and John Shook on how AI can serve as a powerful coach to enhance, not replace, human problem-solving skills.
Lean AI: Navigating Hype and Reality in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
After four decades watching automation promises in manufacturing, I've learned to separate the real breakthroughs from the demos. But the signals surrounding AI couldn't be more confusing.
Join the Lean AI Webinar
There is no shortage of noise about artificial intelligence. Executives everywhere are pressing their teams to figure out AI. At LEI, we share the excitement about AI's potential and are actively developing tools that put it to work while remaining grounded in lean thinking.
From Skeptic to Believer: My Journey into Lean and AI
This is the first in a series of articles in which the Lean Enterprise Institute and I will explore the unfolding intersection of lean and artificial intelligence in the years ahead.
Problem-Solving Primer
In this edition of The Management Brief, LEI's Josh Howell, Mark Reich, and Art Smalley explore how the four types of problem-solving connect to daily management, hoshin kanri, and the deeper system behind lean leadership.
From the Art of Lean Blog
Earlier writing from 2010–2021.