The goal of a lean process is to eliminate waste and maximize quality. But lean also results in increased efficiency and reduced cost. For many facility professionals, the question isn’t whether to implement lean practices, but how.

In this webcast, "Lean Practices for Facility Maintenance" attendees learn a firsthand account of how incorporating lean practices across a facilities portfolio has resulted in optimal turnaround time on work processes, workflow efficiency and operating expenses.

Tony Di Tullio, Director of Property Management, Air Canada, teaches the key principles of lean — people involvement, continuous improvement, standardization, built-in quality, and short lead time — and their impact on staffing, inventory and the bottom line.

Di Tullio outlines the step-by-step processes and benefits of applying Lean Six Sigma, particularly in maintenance, and highlights the journey of revamping the procurement process to address challenges including delays, increased costs, and inefficiencies in producing purchase orders and work orders.

Di Tullio describes the transition from the old, cumbersome approval process to a more streamlined one. By removing three unnecessary steps and modifying language for clarity, the team achieved a significant reduction in process time.

One of the main challenges faced was resistance to change, which was addressed through training and demonstrating the benefits of Lean Six Sigma. Di Tullio emphasizes the importance of continuous education and adapting the methodology to fit the specific needs and constraints of the organization.