What strategy aims to minimize waste in manufacturing processes?

The strategy that aims to minimize waste in manufacturing processes is Lean manufacturing. This approach focuses on maximizing value for customers while minimizing unnecessary resources, time, and costs. The essence of Lean manufacturing lies in its emphasis on identifying and eliminating waste, which can take many forms, such as surplus inventory, overproduction, waiting times, excess motion, and defects.

Lean manufacturing adopts various tools and techniques, such as value stream mapping and continuous improvement (often referred to as Kaizen), to streamline processes and create a more efficient workflow. By ensuring that each step in the production process adds value and is necessary, Lean manufacturing fosters a culture of efficiency and accountability within organizations. This ultimately leads to improved productivity, reduced operational costs, and enhanced product quality.