How to create a learning environment to discuss Lean principles and practices, while having fun?
This was the question we had in mind when we developed the first version of the Lean Lego Game. After revolutionizing the automobile industry, Lean principles have been applied to different knowledge areas, from Manufacturing to Supply Chain Management, to Health Care and more recently, to Software Development. However, not many people have been introduced to the concepts that made Lean successful.
This is an interactive session where participants work in teams in a small Lego production line, experiencing problems and applying Lean practices to overcome them. Designed to alternate hands-on activities with retrospective/discussions, and content slides, participants throughout the workshop will be introduced to concepts such as:
- Push vs. Pull Systems
- Kanban
- Systems Thinking
- Work Cells
- Waste
- Kaizen
Why create this page?
We wanted to create this page to serve as a reference to anyone interested in learning more about the Lean Lego Game, and for sharing experiences with people who already ran it. This workshop is a work-in-progress and every time we run it, we find improvements and gather important feedback from participants. If you have any question/comment/suggestion about the game, please leave a comment here.
Material and License
We are distributing the material we use to run the game in a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial license. This means that you’re free to use and adapt it, as long as you give appropriate credit and do not use it for commercial purposes. We also kindly request for your feedback to help us improve the workshop. To ask for the material, simply get in touch by e-mail. The package contains:
- Facilitator’s Guide: instructions and tips for running the workshop (list of materials, suggested agenda, room setup, …)
- Slides: currently 2 versions (short-version: 1:30h / long-version: 3:00h)
- Print material: instructions and Lego specifications ready to be printed
The only thing that we can’t provide are the actual Lego bricks, so you have to get them yourself :-)
The Lean Lego Game has already been presented at…
- Encontro Ágil 2009 – São Paulo, SP
- Agile 2009 – Chicago, US
- ThoughtWorks UK Away Day 2009
- XP 2009 – Sardinia, Italy
- Agiles 2008 – Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Internally at ThoughtWorks (London, China, …)
- … (let us know if your session is missing here)
Credits
Some of the inspirations and influences for developing/improving the Lean Lego Game were:
- The Red Beads Experiment, by Dr. W. Edwards Deming
- Lego XP Game, by Sam Newman
- Feedback from a lot of amazing ThoughtWorkers (and ex-ThoughtWorkers)
Lean Lego Game by Danilo Sato & Francisco Trindade is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.dtsato.com.
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November 2nd, 2009 at 10:50 pm
[...] Here you go: Lean Lego Game [...]
December 6th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
I am a Lean Facilitator within my company and would like to receive a copy of the facilitation of the lean Lego Game if possible. We currently use sticky notes to demonstrate lean and would like to use a new training technique.
THanks.
December 12th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Olá Danilo,
Quero aprender mais sobre o Lean Lego Game, como faço?
Abraços,
February 14th, 2011 at 9:09 pm
Danilo,
I run a liquor distribution and retailing business for the State of Washington where we are planning to embark in to the wonderful world of lean. Although I have my own experience in this area this tool looks to be a perfect way to introduce the concept to co-workers who have little exposure to the concept.
Please forward the materials and I will be sure to use them as you have prescribed, giving credit to the developers and will not use it for commercial purposes. Thanks in advance for your contribution to our efforts.
February 24th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
Good morning,
I would please send me the game read the material. Sorry my English is not very fluid and this message I made using google translator. Excuses.
This translated into Spanish or French?
The package contains:
•Facilitator’s Guide: instructions and tips for running the workshop (list of materials, suggested agenda, room setup, …)
•Slides: long-version: 3:00h)
•Print material: instructions and Lego specifications ready to be printed
The Lego bricks, send the information regarding the amount to purchase.
Thanks.
March 2nd, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Hi,
I would very much appreciate receiving your Lean Lego Simulation packet. We are beginning a lean journey in our company and believe this exercise will bring home principles of lean to our associates in a fun manner.
Lee Kraus
March 24th, 2011 at 8:56 am
Hi,
I am wanting to run the lean lego game in our manufacturing business, but very much need a hand in setting this up. can you help by sending me the facilitators guide, slides and instructions.
many thanks
John
April 3rd, 2011 at 7:31 am
Thanks Danilo, Its very kind on your part to share the material . Great Work , Sir
Regards
Vaneet
May 3rd, 2011 at 10:42 am
Hi,
Can you send me the lean lego game please?
Many Thanks,
Willem Jan
May 3rd, 2011 at 4:33 pm
I would appreciate receiving your Lean Lego Simulation packet. We are beginning a lean journey in our company and I know this exercise will bring home principles of lean to our team members.
Neil Millar
May 11th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
We are very interested in trying the lean lego game. Would you please send the instructions. We currently use sticklebricks but these are very hard to get hold of.
Does your licence allow us to use this to train our people across government departments or would each government department need to approach you separately? None of this is for commercial use.
Thanks you.
May 12th, 2011 at 1:34 am
I, too have heard many good things about your packet. I would appreciate receiving a copy to start our journey in our company.
Kind regards
Alan Bellrose
May 17th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
[...] very happy and excited that I’ll present the Lean Lego Game at the Agile Australia 2011 with Frank. The game was created by Danilo and Frank who have presented [...]
May 22nd, 2011 at 9:59 pm
[...] start with some games. The coin game and the lego game provide very good example and exercise about lean thinking, which is crucial for mastering [...]
June 1st, 2011 at 2:11 pm
[...] Site of the Creators: http://www.dtsato.com/blog/work/lean-lego-game/ [...]
June 11th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Looks like a great teaching resource. I would very much appreciate receiving a copy of the materials. Thank you.
George Friesen
Business Practice Leader – Lean Manufacturing
St. Louis Community College
June 13th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
[...] will be presenting the Lean Lego Game, which introduces Lean concepts using a fun and entertaining activity. This game was already [...]
July 22nd, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Hello, I work at Nestlé Italy and we are really interested in having information about the lego lean game. Is it possible to buy it from you? If yes, how much would it be? Thanks in advance for replying, best regards Annalisa
August 13th, 2011 at 2:22 am
[...] and Agile techniques can make your process more efficient. This proven Lego game was designed by Danilo Sato and Francisco Trindade and presented at Agile 2008 and [...]
August 15th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
I am part of a team that tries to facilitate productivity improvements. Is it possible to get a copy of the lean lego game as it seems it would highlight a lot of the concepts we are trying to introduce.
Best regards John McClune
August 20th, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Olá Danilo!
Sou aluno de mestrado no ITA e fiquei muito interessado no material.
Poderia me enviar o material do Lean Lego Game?
Grande abraço e parabéns pela iniciativa!
August 25th, 2011 at 3:05 am
Hello,I work for a midsize Family Business who wants to go the Lean. Your Lego Game is perfect to demonstrate how it works. How can I obtain it?
August 28th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Dear Danilo,
I would like to request your Lean Lego game for use in my operations course. I have located a lot of lego bricks, but I would appreciate your documentation.
Thank-you!
Kind regards,
- Holly
August 29th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Hi from Italy,
I’m on the urge of finding a good lean game.
CAn you send me the file ASAP???
Thank you.
September 19th, 2011 at 9:09 pm
WOuld love to get a copy of your Lean game instructions and materials list. Any advice on using it in a healthcare setting would also be appreciated.
JERRY
October 2nd, 2011 at 3:02 am
[...] me and Danilo presented the Lean Lego Game, the common phrase we heard from the participants was We want to make this process [...]
October 14th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
I am teaching an Operations Course at the local University here in SW Germany (Edge of the black forest) – this seems an excellent tool for teaching the students. Could I get a copy of the Documentation (Lego is easy to find here).
Thanks
Roland
October 19th, 2011 at 9:42 pm
[...] informações sobre o jogo de Lego Lean podem ser encontradas no site do Danilo Sato. Agile, Art, Technology, Videos agil, agilbits, Agile, brincar, formas de aprendizado, game, [...]
October 23rd, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Please send me a copy of your Lean game instructions and materials list. Any advice on using it in a healthcare setting would also be appreciated.
November 3rd, 2011 at 9:03 pm
I am in a new position as a lean facilitator and have tried the lego game before. I thought it was a great teaching game. I would appreciate getting the instructions and materials list, to further educate others.
Greatly appreciated
Tracy
November 18th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
Hi
Am giving a presentation on lean in my University, could you kindly send me a copy of the facilitation of the lean Lego Game. I have the lego bricks with me.
Thanks
Suchi
November 30th, 2011 at 2:13 am
Hi,
I appreciate if you send me the lean lego game package?
Great Job folks,
many thanks
Tamer