Nature is perfect! Is it possible to draw inspiration from the movements and behaviours of animals in your organization’s optimization process?
In 2006, I had the pleasure of participating in a 3P workshop (Production Preparation Process) in a manufacturing facility in Crespin, France. The managing team presented us with a triple challenge: 1) design an optimized layout that would allow doubling the number of units produced; 2) without increasing the floor space; 3) considerably reducing work-related accidents.
The 3P methodology was the perfect approach for this endeavour as it aims to adapt physical locations to work processes rather than the other way around. The focal point of this approach is to reduce, if not eliminate, waste before re-imagining the environment so as not to reproduce past inefficiencies.
During the workshop, we had the immense pleasure of being coached by Mr. Nagata, a Japanese LEAN Sensei from the Shingijutsu USA Corporation. His role was to push the team’s creativity limits to elaborate 7 different layout scenarios to identify “THE” best one to apply to this process.
The LEAN methodology often draws from nature to illustrate the continuous quest for the perfect process. To express his vision of the flow between the suppliers and the buyers, Taiichi Ohno, founder of the Toyota Production System, often said, “I see a river.” Our Sensei had the same approach.
To help us understand the fluidity that should be found in a waste-free process, he used metaphors that refer to the natural movements and behaviours of animals. I had never considered effectiveness under that angle: a true revelation in my own LEAN journey!
20 Metaphors Used to Stimulate Your Team’s Creativity
Now, it’s my turn to share with you some metaphors you can use in your meetings to stimulate the creativity of your teammates and optimize your organization’s processes.
1. The Flow of Fishes:
The fish’s fluid and effective movements remind us of the importance of creating streamlined processes that minimize resistance and waste.
2. Colony of Ants:
The highly organized and collaborative nature of ants’ colonies inspires teamwork and the effective assignment of resources and efforts within production processes.
3. Birds’ Murmuration:
The synchronized movements of birds in flight illustrate the importance of coordinated work and communication on a production line.
4. Beehives:
The way bees work together in a hive, each playing a specific role, serves as an example of the specialization of roles and efficient workflow.
5. Spider Webs:
Each spider web features a complex and resilient design from which robust, yet flexible processes can draw inspiration.
6. Wolves Pack:
It highlights the teamwork, leadership and strategic planning required to reach common goals.
7. A Cheetah’s Sprint:
It represents speed and agility and promotes quick and reactive actions within the process.
8. Dolphin Pods:
Dolphins are known for their intelligence. Their ability to communicate and work in groups instills innovative problem-solving and effective team communication.
9. Elephant Herds:
Elephants are known for their strong social links and cooperative behaviour. Their ability to work together to protect and support each other illustrates the importance of a collaborative and united work environment.
10. The Octopus’s Ability to Camouflage:
Its ability to adapt and blend into its environment inspires flexibility and adaptability in processes, motivating teams to react quickly to changes and meet challenges.
11. Penguin Colonies:
Penguins group to stay warm and protect themselves from harsh conditions. This behaviour shows that teamwork and mutual support are crucial to overcoming difficult situations.
12. The Eagle’s Vision:
Eagles have exceptional vision and can pick out their prey for great distances. It inspires a focus on strategic planning and a long-term vision for achieving organizational goals.
13. The Ingenuity of a Beaver:
Beavers are known for their ability to build complex structures such as dams. Their meticulous and ingenious nature reminds us of careful planning and the effective use of essential resources to complete a project.
14. Lion Prides:
Lions work together in prides, each member holding a specific role in hunting and protecting the pride. This can inspire strong leadership and a clear definition of roles within teams.
15. A Butterfly’s Metamorphosis:
The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly symbolizes the importance of adaptability and acceptance of change in a continuous improvement process.
16. The migration of geese:
Geese fly in a V pattern to save energy and support each other through their entire migration. They demonstrate the benefits of strategic alignment and mutual support in achieving long-term objectives.
17. A Squirrel’s Planning:
Squirrels gather and stock food for the winter, showing the importance of planning and preparing for the future.
18. The Focus of a Shark:
Sharks are known for their uncompromising concentration and effectiveness in chasing. They inspire a dedicated, goal-oriented approach.
19. Owl’s Wisdom:
Owls are often associated with wisdom and careful observation. We associate them with well-thought-out decision-making and attention to details.
20. A Horse’s Endurance:
Enduring and able to work tirelessly, the horse represents perseverance and sustained effort to achieve goals.
The quest for the perfect process
These animal metaphors provide invaluable ideas to create, visualize, design, and develop effective, harmonious, and innovative production processes. By applying the 5 Lean Philosophy Principles, we continuously aim for the ideal process. Although impractical, this quest to find the perfect process invites us to continuously seek solutions to deliver a better-quality product or service to our clients within the best possible timeline and at the best possible cost.
Next time you think about streamlining a process, just remember nature’s way of doing things. It is simply perfect.
by Bernard Gagnon
Master Black Belt LEAN Six Sigma,
Professional Scrum Master PSM I
