Create Solutions That People Actually Need

Great products, services and processes start with understanding people.

The Design Thinking Workshop explores how Design Thinking and Lean Thinking work together to solve complex problems, improve customer experiences and create sustainable innovation. Through practical activities and real-world challenges, participants learn how to place customers, employees and stakeholders at the centre of improvement efforts.

Delivered in partnership with d-school Afrika, this highly interactive workshop equips leaders and teams with practical tools they can immediately apply within their own organisations.

Why Attend?

Traditional improvement initiatives often focus on improving processes before fully understanding the people those processes serve.

This workshop introduces a human-centred approach that helps organisations:

• Better understand customer and stakeholder needs
• Identify the real problems worth solving
• Generate innovative ideas with confidence
• Test solutions quickly before implementation
• Strengthen collaboration across teams
• Combine Lean improvement with customer-focused innovation

Whether you are redesigning services, improving operations or developing new products, Design Thinking provides practical methods for creating solutions that deliver meaningful value.

What Will You Learn?

During this hands-on workshop you will explore:

• The Design Thinking mindset and principles
• Understanding customer and stakeholder needs
• Empathy mapping and insight gathering
• Defining and reframing problems
• Creative idea generation techniques
• Rapid prototyping and experimentation
• Testing ideas and learning through feedback
• Integrating Design Thinking with Lean improvement

Participants will work through collaborative exercises that demonstrate how these tools can be applied to real organisational challenges.

A Practical Learning Experience

This workshop is built around learning by doing.

Working in teams, delegates will tackle realistic business scenarios using the complete Design Thinking process—from understanding customer needs through to developing, testing and refining potential solutions.

Rather than focusing on theory alone, participants leave with practical frameworks, templates and techniques that can be used immediately in their own workplace.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is ideal for:

• Operational Excellence professionals
• Continuous Improvement practitioners
• Business leaders and managers
• Innovation teams
• Project managers
• Service designers
• HR and customer experience professionals
• Anyone responsible for improving products, services or processes

No previous Design Thinking experience is required.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Apply a structured Design Thinking process
• Better understand customer and stakeholder needs
• Identify opportunities for innovation
• Facilitate collaborative problem-solving sessions
• Develop and test new ideas quickly
• Combine Lean Thinking and Design Thinking to deliver greater customer value

Workshop Format

The workshop combines:

• Interactive facilitation
• Individual and group activities
• Practical exercises
• Real-world case studies
• Collaborative discussions
• Immediate workplace application

Participants leave with practical tools and greater confidence to lead customer-centred innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.

The post Design Thinking Masterclass appeared first on Lean Institute Africa.

Event Venue

CUBO Itaú

Address:
Alameda Vicente Pinzon, 54
Vila Olímpia · São Paulo, SP
ZIP Code: 04547-130

The post The Evolution of Transformation in São Paulo, Brazil appeared first on Lean Institute Africa.

Improve Decision-Making Through Simulation

Simulation modelling is one of the most effective ways to analyse complex systems, evaluate improvement opportunities and make informed decisions before implementing change.

This practical workshop introduces participants to the principles of simulation modelling and demonstrates how organisations can use digital models to optimise flow, capacity, productivity and operational performance. Through a combination of theory and hands-on exercises using AnyLogic, delegates will gain practical experience in developing and applying simulation models to solve real-world business challenges.

Whether you work in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, transportation, government or research, this workshop provides practical skills that can be applied immediately within your organisation.

Why Attend?

Organisations are increasingly using simulation modelling to reduce risk, improve planning and make better operational decisions.

This workshop will help participants:

• Understand the fundamentals of simulation modelling
• Explore different simulation approaches and when to use them
• Learn how simulation supports data-driven decision-making
• Evaluate process improvements before implementation
• Improve operational flow, resource utilisation and capacity planning
• Gain practical experience using AnyLogic simulation software

By the end of the workshop, participants will understand how simulation can support continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence across a wide range of industries.

What Will You Learn?

During this hands-on workshop, participants will explore:

• The principles of simulation modelling
• Simulation modelling approaches and methodologies
• Applications across manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and other industries
• The benefits of simulation for operational improvement
• The complete simulation modelling process
• Introduction to AnyLogic and its graphical user interface
• Building simulation models from the ground up
• Using simulation to improve business performance and decision-making

A Practical Learning Experience

This workshop combines expert instruction with practical exercises using AnyLogic, one of the world’s leading multi-method simulation platforms.

Working through real-world examples, participants will build simulation models step-by-step while learning how to analyse processes, test improvement scenarios and evaluate operational performance without disrupting live operations.

No previous simulation modelling experience is required.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is ideal for:

• Industrial Engineers
• Operations and Supply Chain professionals
• Continuous Improvement practitioners
• Lean and Operational Excellence professionals
• Manufacturing leaders
• Process Engineers
• Data Analysts
• Business Analysts
• Researchers and academics
• Anyone interested in simulation modelling and data-driven decision-making

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Explain the principles of simulation modelling
• Identify suitable applications for simulation
• Understand different simulation approaches
• Navigate the AnyLogic modelling environment
• Develop basic simulation models
• Analyse operational performance using simulation
• Support better decision-making through virtual experimentation

The post The Benefits and Applications of Simulation Modelling with AnyLogic appeared first on Lean Institute Africa.

Your registration fee includes:

Three-day High-Performance Culture Workshop facilitated by internationally recognised Toyota culture expert Mike Hoseus

Exclusive site visits and learning experiences at leading global organisations, including the Toyota Lean Management Centre at Toyota Manufacturing UK (TMUK) Burnaston and Jaguar Land Rover Solihull

All workshop and site visit fees, included as part of your registration

Group networking dinners and selected meals throughout the programme

Comprehensive learning materials and resources to support your ongoing operational excellence journey

Ground transportation during the study tour, including transfers between learning venues and site visits

Optional Accommodation Package

Hotel accommodation available as an optional add-on for an additional fee

Not Included

International flights and travel to and from the United Kingdom

Airport transfers to and from the conference hotel

Travel insurance, visa costs, and personal expenses

The post Study Tour – England September 2027 appeared first on Lean Institute Africa.

Your registration fee includes:

Three days of High Performance Culture Workshop sessions with Mike Hoseus, internationally recognised Toyota culture expert and co-author of Toyota Culture

Best-practice site visits, including the renowned Introduction to the Toyota Production System (TPS) Plant Tour at Toyota Kentucky, along with visits to other high-performing organisations

Selected meals throughout the programme, including an exclusive bourbon distillery tour and tasting experience

Curated learning materials and workshop content, including a signed copy of Toyota Culture

Ground transportation during the event, including transfers between workshop venues and site visits

Access to the Respect for People Roadmap Programme, providing ongoing learning and support after the study tour

Optional Add-On

Hotel accommodation package available for an additional USD $600

Not Included

International and domestic flights to and from Lexington, Kentucky

Airport transfers to and from the conference hotel

One individual dinner during the programme (Tuesday evening)

Travel insurance, visa costs, and personal expenses

This exclusive study tour is delivered in partnership with Lean Institute Africa (LIA) and FocusIn, providing South African and African leaders with direct access to world-class operational excellence, Lean leadership, and high-performance culture practices.

The post Study Tour – Lexington, Kentucky October 2027 appeared first on Lean Institute Africa.

Your registration fee includes:

Three days of High Performance Culture Workshop sessions with Mike Hoseus, internationally recognised Toyota culture expert and co-author of Toyota Culture

Best-practice site visits, including the renowned Introduction to the Toyota Production System (TPS) Plant Tour at Toyota Kentucky, along with visits to other high-performing organisations

Selected meals throughout the programme, including an exclusive bourbon distillery tour and tasting experience

Curated learning materials and workshop content, including a signed copy of Toyota Culture

Ground transportation during the event, including transfers between workshop venues and site visits

Access to the Respect for People Roadmap Programme, providing ongoing learning and support after the study tour

Optional Add-On

Hotel accommodation package available for an additional USD $600

Not Included

International and domestic flights to and from Lexington, Kentucky

Airport transfers to and from the conference hotel

One individual dinner during the programme (Tuesday evening)

Travel insurance, visa costs, and personal expenses

This exclusive study tour is delivered in partnership with Lean Institute Africa (LIA) and FocusIn, providing South African and African leaders with direct access to world-class operational excellence, Lean leadership, and high-performance culture practices.

The post Study Tour – Lexington, Kentucky April 2027 appeared first on Lean Institute Africa.

The post AI and the Future of Manufacturing Masterclass appeared first on Lean Institute Africa.

Lean Leadership Principles

• Understanding the role of leadership in operational excellence
• Moving beyond command-and-control leadership
• Creating alignment between strategy, people, and performance
• Developing leaders as coaches and mentors

Psychological Safety

• Understanding psychological safety and its impact on performance
• Building trust within teams
• Creating environments where people feel safe to speak up
• Encouraging learning and experimentation

Team Engagement and Collaboration

• Strengthening communication and teamwork
• Improving employee participation in improvement activities
• Building accountability and ownership
• Managing conflict constructively

Developing Continuous Improvement Cultures

• Creating sustainable improvement behaviours
• Encouraging problem-solving at all levels
• Supporting innovation and learning
• Embedding continuous improvement into daily operations

Practical Leadership Application

• Leadership behaviours that support high performance
• Real-world case studies and examples
• Action planning for implementation within your organisation

The post Lean Leadership and Psychological Safety Masterclass appeared first on Lean Institute Africa.

Sharpen your leadership skills and discover a proven method for successfully executing your strategy. This course provides a framework for implementing strategy by engaging all levels of the organization. Get practical takeaways, not just theories, that empowers you to apply new skills as you progress. Leave with a clear framework to overcome common execution obstacles, ways to engage every level of your organization, and learn how to break down strategic goals into actionable steps.

In this workshop, you will learn through a combination of instruction and peer-to-peer interaction. The workshop will take participants through a simulation of a company’s hoshin process. This simulation immerses you in a situation, like real life, where you must make decisions, debate, and come to an alignment. The primary learning is experiential, supported by instruction in relevant tools and examples. Much of your learning will occur in the simulation through peer-to-peer interaction. A major emphasis of the workshop is on aligning all levels of the organization and improving strategy execution rather than strategy formulation alone.

Learning Objectives

Through the simulation, you will be able to:

· Discuss the fundamental framework for Hoshin Kanri.

· Clarify conditions for successful execution of hoshin planning and alignment in an organization.

· Discuss how to build a structure of PDCA at individual and corporate levels.

· Understand the relationship between hoshin planning and A3 problem solving.

Topics and materials that will be covered are:

· Fundamentals of Hoshin Kanri, Managing On Purpose.

· Annually develop, communicate, and align on strategy up and down the organization and across functions, developing corporate and department objectives, activities, and targets.

· Proactively engage and develop everyone — with top-down/bottom-up and across department dialogue — as strategic targets are pursued and actions undertaken.

· Establish systems to regularly review progress toward objectives.

· Tackle frontline problems in the work as they are encountered, adjusting quickly when strategy meets the real world and things do not go as planned.

Workshop Benefits:

Through instruction, small group discussions, exercises, and a practical case study, participants will:

· Learn the fundamentals of Hoshin Kanri as practiced in Toyota

· Learn how to develop corporate hoshin objectives, activities, and targets

· Build capability to align vertically and horizontally in the organization

· Through a case study, we will cover and practice:

o Writing hoshin objectives, activities, and targets

o Defining and gaining alignment on corporate direction

o Utilizing specific tools of hoshin kanri

Who Should Attend?

· Executives responsible for leading change in their organization

· Continuous Improvement leaders who must support corporate strategy

· Middle leaders who have to execute on the strategy that is defined

The post Strategy Deployment: From Vision to Execution appeared first on Lean Institute Africa.

Operational Excellence is far more than implementing lean tools, it is about building an integrated system that enables sustainable performance, continuous improvement, engaged leadership and organisational transformation.

This highly interactive full-day workshop will take participants through a practical and structured Operational Excellence transformation framework, designed to help organisations move beyond isolated improvement initiatives toward a fully aligned transformation system.

Through a systems-thinking perspective, participants will explore how the core components of Operational Excellence work together, including leadership behaviours, culture, strategy deployment, visual management, problem solving, performance systems, continuous improvement, capability development, digital transformation, AI-enabled decision making and governance structures.

The session moves beyond isolated lean tools and focuses on the organisational frameworks needed to successfully embed Operational Excellence across an enterprise.

The workshop will provide practical transformation frameworks that organisations can use to:

• Assess current Operational Excellence maturity
• Identify common transformation gaps and failure points
• Understand how the core components of Operational Excellence integrate as a system
• Evaluate the role of digital technologies and AI in enabling performance improvement
• Define future-state ambitions
• Align improvement efforts to strategic objectives
• Build actionable transformation roadmaps
• Create sustainable systems for long-term improvement

Participants will actively work through the frameworks during the session, applying them directly to their own organisations to identify current state, future state, and priority action plans for transformation.

Who Should Attend

This workshop is designed for leaders, executives, transformation professionals, operational managers, and improvement practitioners seeking a practical roadmap for embedding Operational Excellence across an organisation.

Key Themes Covered

• A systems perspective of Operational Excellence
• The foundations of successful Lean transformation
• Organisational maturity assessment frameworks
• Connecting leadership, culture, strategy, and operations
• Practical transformation roadmaps and implementation structures
• Sustaining improvement beyond isolated projects
• Translating Operational Excellence into measurable business impact

Workshop Format

• Full-day interactive workshop
• Practical frameworks and working sessions
• Organisational self-assessments
• Group exercises and transformation planning
• Action-plan development for immediate application

This workshop provides a practical roadmap for organisations seeking sustainable Operational Excellence transformation rather than isolated improvement initiatives.

The post Why Operational Excellence Transformations Fail appeared first on Lean Institute Africa.