Spotting waste: A Lean lens on everyday work

In our last article, we introduced the concept of Lean thinking — a way of continuously improving our work by focusing on what adds value and eliminating what doesn’t. One of the simplest and most effective tools to start this journey is the 8 Wastes.

The 8 Wastes represent common forms of inefficiency found in nearly every process, regardless of department or role. By learning to recognize them, we can uncover opportunities to make our work smoother, faster and more rewarding.

Here’s a quick look at each waste:

1. Defects – Errors that cause rework, confusion or delay.
2. Overproduction – Doing more than is needed or before it’s needed.
3. Waiting – Idle time when people, systems, or materials aren’t ready.
4. Non-Utilized Talent (not using people well) – Not engaging people’s skills, ideas or creativity.
5. Transportation – Unnecessary movement of materials, information or tools.
6. Inventory – Excess supplies, files, or data waiting to be used.
7. Motion – Extra movement by people, such as searching, reaching or walking.
8. Extra-Processing – Doing more work or using more steps than necessary.

The goal isn’t to point fingers or find fault — it’s to look at our work with curiosity. Ask yourself:

• Where do we see delays, duplication or rework?
• Are we spending time on tasks that don’t add value for our customers or colleagues?
• Could a small change save time or make the process easier?

By using the 8 Wastes as a lens, we can spot improvement opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed. Every small change adds up — and together, they create a culture of continuous improvement.

In our next article, we’ll take a closer look at the scope document — a key tool that helps teams define the boundaries of a process and ensure improvement efforts are focused in the right place.

By the numbers (since February 2025)                     

Yellow Belt certificates issued: 224                       

UCLA organizations represented: 31       

Campus certificate workshops offered: 7                     

Department requested certificate workshops: 7 

Join the lean movement

We invite you to follow along in future editions. Try out a tool, apply a concept in your team or share what you’ve already done — we’ll feature contributions from staff from throughout UCLA throughout the year.

Have a tip or story to share?

We’d love to hear it! Help inspire others and build a culture of continuous improvement at UCLA.

You can also submit an idea through the Bruin Process Flow or schedule a consultation with the OED team to explore opportunities for Lean in your area.

Together, we can help UCLA thrive — not just through big initiatives, but through small, consistent changes that make our work better, simpler and more rewarding.