Organizations implement lean systems to improve their operations by getting rid of waste, or anything that does not add value to the product or service. A new book co-authored by a professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology uses real-world case studies to demonstrate how lean tools are being used in manufacturing, service and healthcare.

Dr. Elizabeth Cudney, associate professor of engineering management and systems engineering at Missouri S&T, co-wrote Lean Systems: Applications and Case Studies in Manufacturing, Service, and Health. The book is scheduled for publication by CRC Press on Oct. 9.

The book provides step-by-step planning and implementation instructions for lean processes. The interactive case studies include a restaurant, a rapid prototyping laboratory, a woman’s healthcare center and a high school discipline process.

Cudney joined the Missouri S&T faculty in 2007. Her first book Using Hoshin Kanri to Improve the Value Stream was published by Productivity Press in 2009. Her second book, Implementing Lean Six Sigma Throughout the Supply Chain, was published by CRC Press in 2010. Her third book, Design for Six Sigma in Product and Service Development, co-authored with Dr. Sandra Furterer, was published by CRC Press in 2012.

Cudney is an associate member of the International Academy for Quality and a past winner of the American Society for Quality’s Armand V. Feigenbaum Medal, which rewards outstanding leadership, professionalism and potential in the field of quality. Cudney also received the SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award for her contributions and accomplishments in the manufacturing industry.

She holds eight ASQ certifications, which include ASQ certified quality engineer, certified manager of quality/organizational excellence and certified Six Sigma Black Belt, among others.

Co-authors of Lean Systems: Applications and Case Studies in Manufacturing, Service, and Health are Furterer, vice president for business process improvement at Chase Bank in Columbus, Ohio, and David M. Dietrich, adjunct professor of engineering management and systems engineering at Missouri S&T.