"Lean isn’t about doing more with fewer people — it’s about making the most of the people and resources we already have."

 

At a time when departments across UCLA are being asked to do more with less, it’s never been more important to find ways to work smarter, not just harder.

That’s why we’re excited to launch the Lean Scene — a recurring feature in News and Views dedicated to lean management and continuous process improvement (CPI).

What to Expect

Each quarter, The Lean Scene will spotlight:

• Practical tools to help streamline your work
• Success stories from Bruin staff applying Lean principles
• Tips and lessons from proven methodologies like 5S, value stream mapping and root cause analysis
• Insights on how Lean thinking aligns with UCLA’s Strategic Plan Goal #5: Become a More Effective Institution

Whether you’re in an administrative office, a service unit or a frontline support role, Lean offers something for everyone. It’s about identifying inefficiencies, reducing waste and improving the experiences of those we serve—students, faculty, staff and one another.

Why Lean and Why Now?

Lean empowers us to rethink how we work—encouraging us to focus on what’s truly essential to be effective and efficient. In a time of tighter budgets and growing expectations, it offers a structured yet adaptable approach to making the most of our existing resources. It helps teams ask:

• What’s adding value in our process?

• Where are we losing time, effort, or resources?
• How can we make improvements that stick?

These are the kinds of questions that support Strategic Goal #5, which calls on us to become a more effective institution. Lean gives us the tools to make that goal a reality—one small improvement win at a time.

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.