Standard work

Concept

The documented best-known way to do a task, with its sequence, time and quantities. It gives a stable basis for training and quality, and is the starting point for the next improvement.

Description

Standard work is the documented best-known way to do a task. It states the sequence of steps, the time each step should take and the amount of material and information needed. It is based on what the people doing the work have found works best, and it is written down so that everyone can follow and train the same way.

The standard is not meant to freeze a process. It is the baseline for the next improvement. When someone finds a better way, the standard is changed and everyone uses the new version. Standard work gives stable quality and times, makes problems easy to see because they appear as deviations, and supports new colleagues. In lean management, leaders also have their own standard work, such as regular walks and board reviews.

Glossary

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Maintained by Mirko Peters (Microsoft MVP) · Last updated: 2026-11-11