The Lean Management Program
A hands-on learning experience to design and lead your lean management system
Why this program?
Most organizations struggle to connect their strategy with daily execution. Leaders rely on episodic projects, dashboards, or consultants—yet performance still slips back.
The Lean Management Program (LMP) changes that by helping you design, practice, and apply a sustainable lean management system built around daily management, hoshin kanri (strategy development and execution), and A3 thinking.
This is not a course in tools. It’s an immersive, practice-based program where you learn by doing—side by side with peers, coaches, and thought leaders.
DATES Feb 6, 2026 to June 18, 2026
FORMAT Live Coach-led Online Courses
DURATION 5 Months / 19 Sessions
TIME 2.5 Hours / Week plus homework
PRICING $1,299 to $7,500
Save up to $2,000 when you enroll in the program.
Secure your spot for Spring 2026!
How the Lean Management Program works
- Blended learning: Live online sessions, applied practice at your workplace, and coaching feedback.
- Two levels: Basic (foundational) and Comprehensive (deeper practice + coaching).
- Peer network: Join a cohort of leaders across industries who are working through similar challenges.
- Cutting-edge use of technology: The program integrates interactive digital tools that accelerate learning, sharpen practice, and make reflection more effective. This ensures lessons stick—and are easier to apply back at work.
- Special guest appearances: Alongside LEI’s senior coaches, you’ll hear directly from executives and practitioners who have led transformations in their own organizations. These live sessions give you unfiltered insights from leaders facing challenges like yours.
What You'll Learn
This isn’t about mastering tools—it’s about transforming how you lead. In this program, you'll learn to:
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Build capability to execute daily management with rhythm and discipline.
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Practice hoshin kanri to align strategy with daily work and develop people at every level.
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Use A3 thinking to frame problems, mentor effectively, and lead with facts, not assumptions.
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Understand how these three processes form a complete lean management system that sustains improvement and develops leaders.
Why a Lean Management System Matters
A lean management system is the foundation for long-term success—not a quick fix.
You’ll walk away with:
- A practical system to align strategy and daily management
- The skills to coach your team, not just direct it
- The confidence to lead with clarity and purpose
Learn more about a lean management system.
Who Should Attend
This program is ideal for:
- Executive leadership – Founders, owners, and C-suite leaders responsible for setting direction and driving results
- Functional leaders – VPs and Directors of Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, or other core functions
- Improvement and transformation leaders – Those leading Lean, Operational Excellence, Continuous Improvement, or Organizational Development efforts
- Mid-level managers – Managers responsible for daily performance and developing people
- Leadership teams – Groups looking to align strategy, execution, and problem solving across departments
Not sure if the Lean Management Program is the right fit?
Schedule a quick call with an LEI coach to talk through your goals and challenges.
Program Structure
During the four live coach-led courses you will engage in practical exercises, discussions, simulations, examples and Q&A.
Dates:
Course:
FEBRUARY 6, MARCH 6,
MAY 1, and JUNE 18, 2026
Courses will run Fridays 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm ET.
*This course is a part of the Core and Comprehensive packages only.
Managing a Lean Enterprise*
Instructor: Josh Howell
Learn how to drive performance and inspire Innovation using hoshin kanri (strategy deployment), daily management, and the A3 process.
FEBRUARY 13 to
FEBRUARY 27, 2026
Courses will run Fridays 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm ET.
Managing in Time with Daily Management
Instructor: Joe Seestadt
MARCH 20 to APRIL 24, 2026
Courses will run Fridays 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm ET.
Managing to Learn with the A3 Process
Instructor: Lavon Medlock
Develop problem-solving and leadership skills by learning the use of the A3 process including root cause analysis.
MAY 8 to JUNE 12, 2026
Courses will run Fridays 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm ET.
Managing on Purpose with Hoshin Kanri
Instructors: Rachel Reuter
Discover how to align organizational goals, foster strategic focus, and execute plans effectively using catchball and plan-do-check-adjust (PDCA) cycles.
Gain the Full Lean Management Experience
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What You Gain |
Individual |
Core Tier |
Comprehensive Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
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Access to 1 expert-led course |
✔️ |
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Build core management capability through 4 expert-led courses* |
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✔️ |
✔️ |
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Apply concepts immediately with practical tools and takeaways |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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Access to Course Recordings and Materials |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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Certificate of Completion |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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Accelerate your leadership development with Peer Collaboration |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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Expand your professional network |
✔️ |
✔️ |
✔️ |
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Reinforce learning with curated materials including Managing to Learn, A3 Getting Started Guide, Managing on Purpose, The Work of Management, and Daily Management |
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✔️ |
✔️ |
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Weekly personalized feedback in office hours with instructors (19 hours total) |
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✔️ |
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Welcome Package |
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✔️ |
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Translate learning to your workplace |
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✔️ |
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Sustain your momentum with continued access to learning materials and alumni community |
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✔️ |
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Celebrate and share your success |
✔️ |
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Commemorative Gift |
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✔️ |
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Value |
1,299- |
$5,800 |
$9,500 |
Price |
$1,299-
|
$4,400Most Popular
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$7,500Best
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*Exclusive access to Managing a Lean Enterprise — a course that shows the interlocking nature of the management system.
Hear What Our Customers Are Saying
“It was different than I expected, in a good way. I anticipated more lecture and really enjoyed the group activities.”
– Clint Olsen, Director, Customer Care, Stryker
"Class was excellent, really helped to simplify the Hoshin process."
– Sekenus (Xavier) Boneparte, BAE Systems
"I liked the hands-on learning experience and the way we were grouped together to discuss our A3 progress during the course."
Not Sure Which Option Fits You Best?
Choosing the right Lean Management Program package depends on your goals, your role, and where your organization is on its lean journey.
Schedule a quick call with a lean coach to get personalized guidance. No pressure, just support.
Josh Howell
Lean Enterprise Institute
For over a decade, Josh has supported individuals and organizations with lean transformations for improved business performance.
As a coach, he helps people become lean thinkers and practitioners through experiential learning, believing such an approach can lead to enterprise-wide improvement. Read more »
Lavon Medlock
Lean Enterprise Institute
Lavon has spent over two decades enhancing leaders’ skills in problem-solving and coaching.
Skilled in a variety of continuous improvement methods, she has trained leaders in creating effective daily management systems, deployed an integrated facility design approach to new construction projects like a 90,000-square-foot patient tower, and enhanced operations across different sectors. Read more »
Rachel Reuter
Lean Enterprise Institute
With nearly 40 years of experience working at Toyota, Rachel has cultivated extensive expertise across a wide range of disciplines. Beginning in a staff-level role, she advanced through management and eventually into an executive position. Read more »
Joe Seestadt
Lean Enterprise Institute
Joe Seestadt’s mission is to add value to organizations through lean deployment and leadership development.
He is experienced and confident in navigating the dynamic waters of change management, cost reduction, and growth planning. Read more »
"Lean management is neither a simple top-down nor bottom-up process. Rather, it is a dynamic system in which processes are well-defined, and individual responsibility is clear."
What discounts are available?
Group discount: Bring three people from your organization get 12.5% off each registration. Co-Learning Partners receive 25% off.
Do I get a certificate with this program?
Yes, a Certificate of Completion will be provided to download and/or share on LinkedIn.
Is there work outside of class time?
Yes, you get the most out of the live sessions by completing exercises and readings outside of class.
Why is Managing a Lean Enterprise broken up into four parts and what is the content it will cover?
This course will be the bridge that connects each course to the next, creating a complete lean management system. This course will demonstrate how the topics are interconnected by exploring real-world case studies.
Is this program designed for someone new to lean?
This program is not designed for someone new to lean thinking and practice; it is best for someone already within an organization that has been practicing lean and they are looking to go beyond process improvement.
What does the Lean Transformation Framework Assessment tool look like?
The Lean Transformation Framework Assessment tool is a packet of materials to help guide you through using the Lean Transformation Framework as both a reflection and planning tool.
Can I sign up for just one course if I've already taken the others?
Yes, this is currently possible for the fall 2025 cohort. If you've already taken one of the four courses in the program, contact us for a discount to join the program.
Are the courses in this program different from prior versions of each course?
Yes they are. Here is how each one is:
- Managing a Lean Enterprise focuses more on case studies and the interlocking nature of the topics.
- Managing on Purpose with Hoshin Kanri goes beyond developing the hoshin and relies on a new case study simulation.
- Managing to Learn with the A3 Process shows links with daily management.
- Managing in Time with Daily Management is simulation-based drawing connections between leader behavior, huddle board design, and strategic goals.
Group Discounts
- Register three or more students from your organization and save 12.5% off every registration. This discount will be automatically applied at checkout when you register with your group.
- LEI Co-Learning Partners: Receive 25% off the current price. No group discount can be applied.
- Lean Global Institutes: Receive 30% off the current price. No group discount can be applied.
Cancellation Policy
To cancel, please call LEI at (617) 871-2900 or email registrar@lean.org.
- Two+ weeks before start date: full refund
- Less than two weeks before the start date: $350 fee
- After the start date: no refund
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