A reference model for effective production systems.
The Lean4Y GPS provides orientation for companies that want to connect Lean, leadership, processes, performance indicators and capability building into an understandable overall system.
Why a reference model?
Many companies already have Lean methods, standards, shopfloor management, problem solving, performance indicators and improvement activities.
The challenge is often not the absence of individual tools, but the connection of these elements into a clear production and leadership logic.
GPS provides structured orientation. It helps classify existing approaches, make gaps visible and systematically develop a customer-specific production system.
The five levels of GPS
The Generic Production System structures production systems into five connected levels.
These levels make visible how principles, methods, tools, management mechanisms and data must interact so that Lean is understood not as an isolated measure, but as a system.
What GPS provides
GPS helps view a production system not as a collection of methods, but as a connecting architecture for leadership, processes and improvement.
Create orientation
GPS structures principles, methods, tools, performance indicators and data into an understandable overall logic.
Make connections visible
It shows which elements already exist, how they interact and where gaps remain.
Prepare customer systems
It provides the basis for developing a clear and usable company-specific production system.
From GPS to a customer-specific production system
GPS is not simply transferred to a company. It serves as a structured starting point.
During the concept phase, the relevant principles, methods, tools and leadership routines are clarified for the specific company.
This creates a production system that fits the organization, processes, leadership structure and maturity level of the company.
Typical results
- clear production-system architecture
- shared understanding of Lean and leadership
- structured classification of existing initiatives
- visible gaps and priorities
- roadmap for introduction and anchoring
- basis for capability building through Academy and internal training
Who benefits most from GPS
Executive Management
When Lean, production, leadership and improvement need to be connected more strategically.
Operations Management
When plants, sites and functions require a shared production-system logic.
Lean and CI Leaders
When existing methods, projects and standards need to be brought into a clear architecture.
GPS and Lean4Y Academy
The Lean4Y Academy complements GPS where knowledge needs to be standardized, repeatable and scalable.
It supports the sustainable anchoring of a production system without replacing consulting work.
It helps leaders, Lean professionals and teams understand the logic behind methods, tools and leadership routines.
Capability building as an anchoring element
- create shared terminology
- teach fundamentals systematically
- develop leaders and teams
- make knowledge repeatedly available
- support implementation through learning materials
Would you like to develop your production system in a structured way?
GPS can serve as the starting point for structuring existing Lean activities and developing a clear customer-specific production system.