Lean Concepts In Educational Technology

Published on May 2, 2023

Just pondering the idea of lean project management concepts in relation to the field of K-12 educational technology (ed-tech) operations in helping to increase operational value, improve work flow, and reduce waste.

Concepts include:

• Systems Thinking (How does this affect the entire organization? How does this benefit us beyond right now?)
• Customer Focus (Who are our actual “customers”? Students, Staff, Administration?)
• Continuous Improvement (How can we improve our processes?)
• Visualizing Work (How do we measure, limit, collaborate, make transparent, and increase the accountability of our work?)
• Create Value / Reduce Waste (Are we using public tax dollars or private contributions wisely and in good faith? Are the solutions we implement positively impacting our actual “customers”?)
• Leadership (Are we leading by example? Are we working together with our entire organization to learn and improve? Are we communicating and collaborating as a team?)

Footnotes

• Anderson, David J, and Andy Carmichael. 2016. Essential Kanban Condensed. Seattle, Wash. Lean Kanban University Press.
• Benson, Jim, and Tonianne Demaria Barry. 2011. Personal Kanban : Mapping Work, Navigating Life. Seattle, Wa: Modus Cooperandi Press.
• Niklas Modig, and Pär Åhlström. 2016. This Is Lean : Resolving the Efficiency Paradox. Stockholm Rheologica Publishing.
• Degrandis, Dominica, and Tonianne Demaria. 2017. Making Work Visible : Exposing Time Theft to Optimize Work & Flow. Portland, Or: It Revolution Press.
• Meadows, Donella H. 2008. Thinking in Systems: A Primer. Illustrated edition. White River Junction, Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing.
• Greenleaf, Robert K, Kent M Keith, Cheryl Bachelder, Linda W Belton, Patricia M Falotico, Don M Frick, Isabel Lopez, Larry C Spears, and Duane Trammell. 2016. The Contemporary Servant as Leader. Atlanta, Ga: The Greenleaf Center For Servant Leadership.