BRS Lean, in addition as a tool for "AVA™" when conducting ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22000, ISO 13485, OSHMS and other management systems and technical especifications assessments, upon request we may extend certification to encompass "Lean Manufacturing" principles.

"Lean Manufacturing" certification meets purpose for: (a) validation of implementation of best practices and (b) assessment of performance to key business objectives and best-in-class benchmarks, and (b) serves as basis for continuous improving business performance.

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Encompassing Lean Manufacturing assessment will include principles and components of ERP, JIT and Kaizen within the certification assessment. It can also include international award guidelines as additional benchmarks. Arranging for their inclusion is discussed with the organization during assessment planning sessions.

The time required for planning and executing the assessment is dependent on organization size, number and location of facilities; 2-4 days is typically the minimum amount of time needed. The assessment requires examination of objective evidence that practices and methods as applied under lean manufacturing are: (a) producing results concurrent with business objectives and current best practices, (b) sustainable and (c) continuing to be challenged to move the organization to improved performance and world class excellence. Therefore, planning for continuous improvement, sustainablitity, implementation and effectiveness of a company's current business practices will be assessed.

Planning & Sustainability – assessment to determine if current performance and practice maintenance and improvement plans, methods and measures will ensure that the organization can sustain current outcomes and strive for continual success in line with business objectives and contemporary best practices.

Implementation & Effectiveness – examination of evidence supporting that planning, practices, methods and techniques have been deployed throughout the chosen scope of supply-chain, and that these are effective. Core business elements to be examined include: business planning; demand and supply planning (sales & operations); customer order management (forecasting, entry, promising, scheduling, tracking, shipping); material planning and replenishment; operations scheduling; capacity planning; inventory management (planning, optimization, receiving, storage, handling, cycle counting, replenishment, flow); physical asset management (asset control, equipment changeover, preventive maintenance); engineering (product design, bill of material integrity, engineering change management); finance (A/P, A/R, working capital); supply chain management (purchasing, supplier relations & performance, information sharing, replenishment agreements); continuous improvement (problem-solving, corrective & preventive action planning); quality management (mistake-proofing, inspection, auditing); visual management (housekeeping, information sharing, safety); resource flexibility (equipment and work station mobility & capability; worker cross-training, knowledge management and improvement planning).

In summary, the assessment is in search of validation that the organization applies current best practices (is doing the right things), applies practices effectively (is doing the right things well), is striving for better practices (is planning to improve current practices to higher levels of performance and/or is pursuing new practices to implement). Assessment is judging effectiveness of implementation, aggressiveness of planning, success of improvement activities, comparative success of performance metrics, strength of information sharing and documentation; readiness for change and continuous improvement.

BRS Lean Manufacturing Certification follow-up: After the certification assessment, a special meeting will be chaired by a BRS associate to discuss observations, results and recommendations to sustain and improve. In addition, certification confirmation and permissions will be explained. Key points addressed in the follow-up session include:

• Explanation of assessment results
• Recommendations for operational improvement and for changes that would enable closing gaps with both the BRS Lean Manufacturing Certificate criteria and best-in-class criteria and, optionally, to predetermined award criteria.
• Explanation of the purpose and role of the BRS GlobalNet Overseeing Board such as issuance of certificates and inclusion to the BRS Database register
• Guidelines for the use of the BRS Lean Manufacturing Certificate Mark.