Lean Gold study plan

Define the five core Lean principles in your own words and write a one-line example of each from a workplace you know

Distinguish value-added, necessary non-value-added, and pure waste for three real process steps, and justify each classification

Name the classic waste categories and match at least two concrete examples to every category

Build a personal glossary of 20 Lean terms with a definition and one practical example per term

Explain how flow, pull, and takt time interact, and calculate takt time for two worked examples

Map the difference between push and pull scheduling using a simple two-step process you describe yourself

Analyze three case scenarios and identify the dominant waste in each, with the evidence that supports your conclusion

Rank the wastes in one process by estimated cost or time impact and defend the ranking

Draw a current-state value stream map for a process with at least four steps, including cycle time, wait time, and lead time per step

Calculate total lead time, process time, and the value-added ratio from your map and check the arithmetic

Mark information flow and material flow separately on the map so the two are not confused

Identify the single largest queue or delay on your map and state why it exists

Convert your current-state map into a future-state map with at least three specific changes and expected time savings

Apply the plan-do-check-act cycle to one proposed change and define what you would measure at each stage

Select the right tool for three different problems, choosing among 5S, kaizen event, standard work, and poka-yoke, and justify each choice

Write a one-page A3-style problem summary with background, current condition, target, and countermeasures

Design a 5S rollout for one work area, specifying what done looks like at each of the five steps

Draft a standard work sheet for one task with cycle time, work sequence, and key quality points

Build a simple root-cause analysis for one recurring defect and test whether the cause is truly root or only proximate

Choose two candidate poka-yoke devices for a described error and explain why each prevents rather than detects the error

Describe how a leader's daily behavior either supports or undermines continuous improvement, using two concrete examples

Design a gemba walk routine with a purpose, three questions to ask, and what to observe rather than judge

Explain how to run a kaizen event over five days, listing the pre-work, daily outputs, and follow-up actions

Identify three common reasons improvement efforts stall and propose a leadership response to each

Build a simple visual management board design for a team, specifying the metrics, update cadence, and who acts on each signal

Explain how standard work and visual management reinforce each other in sustaining gains

Draft a 90-day deployment plan for one area, sequencing pilot, spread, and sustain phases with owners

Anticipate two sources of resistance to your plan and write a response for each

Review your glossary, maps, and analyses and correct any errors or gaps you find

Take a full-length timed practice test under exam conditions and record your score by domain

Re-study the two weakest domains using your own notes and redo the missed question types

Summarize the ten concepts you are most likely to confuse and write a one-line distinction for each