Which principle does Lean encourage to improve throughput?

Lean principles focus on enhancing value and eliminating waste within processes. One of the key principles of Lean is the idea of limiting work in progress (WIP). By doing so, teams can reduce the amount of unfinished work at any given time, which in turn helps to identify bottlenecks more easily. When WIP is limited, teams can concentrate on completing tasks before taking on new ones, which significantly enhances throughput.

Limiting WIP allows for smoother workflow, minimizes task-switching, and reduces lead time, ultimately driving efficiency and productivity. This approach prioritizes completing tasks and delivering value rather than getting overwhelmed by too many simultaneously ongoing tasks. Thus, it aligns perfectly with Lean's goal of creating maximum value with minimal waste, emphasizing a more sustainable pace of work that leads to higher quality outcomes.