![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Lean Government
RECENT PUBLICATIONS |
|
 |
 |
Download the Starter Kit |
|
| Lean in Air Permitting Guide: A Supplement to the Lean in Government Starter Kit (PDF, 28 pages, 368KB, About PDF) | |
Working Smart to Protect Human Health and the Environment
Lean Government Fact Sheet (PDF, 28 pages, 368KB, About PDF)
Lean government refers to the application of Lean principles and methods to government processes. Originally developed in the manufacturing sector, Lean is a business model and collection of methods that eliminate non-value added activity or “waste.” Lean methods, as well as Six Sigma quality improvement methods, apply to all types of processes, including administrative processes in government and service sectors. Numerous government agencies, including EPA, are using Lean to dramatically improve the quality, transparency, and speed of government processes. Lean government enables environmental agencies to work more effectively and efficiently to protect human health and the environment.
Lean government projects are producing compelling results at environmental and other government agencies.
- More than 20 federal agencies, ranging from HUD to DOD, are using Lean to increase productivity in key processes by more than 50% and shorten processing timeframes by as much as 90%.
- More than 20 state environmental agencies are using Lean to dramatically improve permitting and other processes.
- EPA has begun using Lean to successfully improve agency processes, with initial events in EPA Region 7 and Office of Chief Financial Officer (OCFO).
Applying Lean to government processes helps create a continual improvement culture that frees employees to focus on engaging, value-added work and problem solving. It directly involves employees in designing and implementing better, smarter, and faster processes that can advance the mission of environmental agencies. Agencies are using Lean methods to improve diverse processes, ranging from standard setting to permitting to procurement to enforcement.
EPA's Lean Government Initiative
EPA, in collaboration with the Environmental Council of States (ECOS)
, is working to support environmental agencies use of Lean and Six Sigma. This website contains information and resources to assist government agencies in using Lean to improve the efficiency of their processes and programs and to foster continuous improvement. Recent EPA/ECOS documents include:
- The Lean in Government Starter Kit
- Working Smart for Environmental Protection (PDF)
- Lean in Air Permitting Guide
| Lean at EPA and Other Federal Agencies | Lean at State Agencies |
For more information about EPA’s Lean Government initiative, contact Jamie Burnett at (burnett.jamie@epa.gov) or (202) 566-2205.