Mark Graban

Manages the KaiNexus webinar series and podcast. Advise the company and customers on Lean and continuous improvement topics.

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Founded in 2009, KaiNexus is a continuous improvement software company passionate about spreading continuous improvement. The intuitive platform facilitates improvement initiatives by reinventing the way businesses capture, implement, measure, share, and organize improvement. With consistent product enhancements, additions, and configurability… Show more

Manages the KaiNexus webinar series and podcast. Advise the company and customers on Lean and continuous improvement topics.

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Founded in 2009, KaiNexus is a continuous improvement software company passionate about spreading continuous improvement. The intuitive platform facilitates improvement initiatives by reinventing the way businesses capture, implement, measure, share, and organize improvement. With consistent product enhancements, additions, and configurability, KaiNexus is the solution for any business looking to optimize the impact of their continuous improvement programs.

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I worked with the two co-founders on go-to-market and growth strategies for a startup software company that initially served hospitals and health systems, but then expanded into other industries and verticals.

Initially led the development of KaiNexus’ sales and implementation processes when going to market in 2011 and helped close the first sales. Representing KaiNexus in the "lean healthcare" community. Provides services and consulting for KaiNexus customers. Managed Twitter and social media. Creates white papers and thought leadership pieces, including webinars. It's a maturing startup with a growing team and a lot of change, so I get to do a little bit of everything, which is great fun.

Roles/titles have evolved, including Chief Improvement Officer, VP of Improvement & Innovation Services, and VP of Customer Success. Currently serving as a Senior Advisor to the company and customers. Show less

Parrish Partners is a leadership and management consulting company. Since 2003, we have served as a catalyst for our clients to grow, change, and achieve unprecedented results. With trusted relationships as a foundation, our services have grown from executive coaching to executive search, leadership training, technology services, M&A advisory, and more. We are honored to serve a broad range of industries across all stages of development, from start-ups to elite private companies and Fortune 50.… Show more

Parrish Partners is a leadership and management consulting company. Since 2003, we have served as a catalyst for our clients to grow, change, and achieve unprecedented results. With trusted relationships as a foundation, our services have grown from executive coaching to executive search, leadership training, technology services, M&A advisory, and more. We are honored to serve a broad range of industries across all stages of development, from start-ups to elite private companies and Fortune 50. Based in Orange County, California, our partnerships extend nationally and internationally, enabling us to make a difference across the globe. Show less

Empact Global is a consultancy that is solving problems and advancing humanity by addressing “wicked” problems that some might deem unsolvable. It is working with organizations to ensure that everyone is being served in an equitable way and tackling the problems that others wouldn’t dare touch.

Whether it’s health, education, racism, housing, or environmental issues – Empact Global is shining the light on blind spots and doing so through a diversity, equity and inclusion lens. What is… Show more

Empact Global is a consultancy that is solving problems and advancing humanity by addressing “wicked” problems that some might deem unsolvable. It is working with organizations to ensure that everyone is being served in an equitable way and tackling the problems that others wouldn’t dare touch.

Whether it’s health, education, racism, housing, or environmental issues – Empact Global is shining the light on blind spots and doing so through a diversity, equity and inclusion lens. What is the ultimate goal? Improving and impacting the world through empathy and inclusion, and making the world a better place. Show less

The Operations Science Institute provides clear, practical education for workers, managers, and executives in any industry to establish predictability and control over their business. Operations Science describes the performance of all business processes, using no buzzwords, and enables improved decision-making for better customer service and financial results. OSI enables companies to establish a science-based, common language for addressing operations challenges. It's a practical approach to… Show more

The Operations Science Institute provides clear, practical education for workers, managers, and executives in any industry to establish predictability and control over their business. Operations Science describes the performance of all business processes, using no buzzwords, and enables improved decision-making for better customer service and financial results. OSI enables companies to establish a science-based, common language for addressing operations challenges. It's a practical approach to overcoming a company's challenges without hiring expensive consultants or buying new software. Show less

Founder of www.leanblog.org and the Lean Blog Podcast (www.leanpodcast.org) Lean Blog is a site dedicated to news, commentary, and discussion about lean manufacturing, the Toyota Production System, lean enterprise, and lean healthcare. Became part of Constancy, Inc. in June 2010.

I authored three influential books on Lean in healthcare, published by Productivity Press, a division of Taylor & Francis:

Lean Hospitals: Improving Quality, Patient Safety, and Employee Engagement
First published in 2008, now in its third edition and translated into eight languages. Winner of the 2009 Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award.
➤ leanhospitalsbook.com

Healthcare Kaizen: Engaging Front-Line Staff in Sustainable Continuous Improvements
Co-authored… Show more

I authored three influential books on Lean in healthcare, published by Productivity Press, a division of Taylor & Francis:

Lean Hospitals: Improving Quality, Patient Safety, and Employee Engagement
First published in 2008, now in its third edition and translated into eight languages. Winner of the 2009 Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award.
➤ leanhospitalsbook.com

Healthcare Kaizen: Engaging Front-Line Staff in Sustainable Continuous Improvements
Co-authored with Joe Swartz, released in 2012. Recognized with the 2013 Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award.
➤ HCkaizen.com

The Executive Guide to Healthcare Kaizen
A concise, leadership-focused companion to Healthcare Kaizen, published in 2013.

These books continue to serve as foundational texts for organizations pursuing cultural transformation and continuous improvement in healthcare settings. Show less

Worked as a subcontractor and team member of Lean Pathways with two healthcare clients. Efforts included training staff and leaders on Lean concepts and problem solving skills. Led and assisted with improvement efforts focused on reducing incidences of patient harm, leading to a reduction in patient falls and hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.

Focused on advancing Lean Healthcare education and promotion through program development, content delivery, and digital innovation at the Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI).

Key contributions included:

Co-led the Healthcare Value Network partnership with the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value, supporting collaboration and shared learning across member organizations.

Developed and delivered Lean Healthcare curricula, including the widely attended “Key Concepts of Lean in… Show more

Focused on advancing Lean Healthcare education and promotion through program development, content delivery, and digital innovation at the Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI).

Key contributions included:

Co-led the Healthcare Value Network partnership with the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value, supporting collaboration and shared learning across member organizations.

Developed and delivered Lean Healthcare curricula, including the widely attended “Key Concepts of Lean in Healthcare” workshop.

Designed and executed LEI’s early social media strategies, expanding digital reach and engagement.

Pioneered experiments with streaming video and emerging technologies to enhance the accessibility and impact of LEI’s mission-driven content. Show less

Managed communications and technology initiatives for a national Lean healthcare collaboration network—a joint effort of the Lean Enterprise Institute and the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value.

Key accomplishments included:

Produced the widely used DVD “Thinking Lean at ThedaCare: Strategy Deployment” to support member education and engagement.

Led communications, recruitment, and social media strategy as the network expanded from 12 to 36 member… Show more

Managed communications and technology initiatives for a national Lean healthcare collaboration network—a joint effort of the Lean Enterprise Institute and the ThedaCare Center for Healthcare Value.

Key accomplishments included:

Produced the widely used DVD “Thinking Lean at ThedaCare: Strategy Deployment” to support member education and engagement.

Led communications, recruitment, and social media strategy as the network expanded from 12 to 36 member organizations.

Improved internal and external communication systems, supporting the dissemination of Lean thinking across a diverse set of healthcare providers. Show less

Provided Lean and Toyota Production System (TPS)–based assessments, coaching, and implementation support for healthcare organizations, from front-line staff to senior executives.

Key responsibilities included:

Delivering hands-on consulting and executive-level facilitation across hospital departments, including clinical labs, pathology, pharmacy, radiology, OR support, inpatient nursing, and cancer care.

Leading external-facing efforts such as marketing, networking, and… Show more

Provided Lean and Toyota Production System (TPS)–based assessments, coaching, and implementation support for healthcare organizations, from front-line staff to senior executives.

Key responsibilities included:

Delivering hands-on consulting and executive-level facilitation across hospital departments, including clinical labs, pathology, pharmacy, radiology, OR support, inpatient nursing, and cancer care.

Leading external-facing efforts such as marketing, networking, and presenting at executive workshops to promote Lean healthcare practices.

Teaching and applying Lean tools such as value stream mapping, 5S, kanban, standard work, visual management, error proofing, suggestion systems, and Kaizen-based problem solving.

Notable results:

Hospital laboratory project: Reduced turnaround time by 35% and increased capacity by 30%, all without additional staffing.

Outpatient MRI improvement initiative: Cut patient wait times by 80% by addressing process bottlenecks and improving scheduling systems.

High-impact lab transformation: Achieved an 80% reduction in turnaround time and $500,000 in first-year labor savings, driven by improved flow and natural attrition. Show less

Note: While “Lean Expert” was the official title, I preferred “Lean Coach” to better reflect the mindset of continuous learning and humility that Lean demands.

Provided internal consulting and coaching support across manufacturing and supply chain operations to drive Lean transformation and operational excellence.

Key responsibilities and accomplishments included:

Coached cross-functional teams and leaders on Lean methods including 5S, standard work, kanban, visual… Show more

Note: While “Lean Expert” was the official title, I preferred “Lean Coach” to better reflect the mindset of continuous learning and humility that Lean demands.

Provided internal consulting and coaching support across manufacturing and supply chain operations to drive Lean transformation and operational excellence.

Key responsibilities and accomplishments included:

Coached cross-functional teams and leaders on Lean methods including 5S, standard work, kanban, visual management, problem solving, supermarket systems, and flow layout redesigns.

Facilitated frontline engagement and leadership development to embed continuous improvement behaviors and thinking.

Led initiatives that improved safety, reduced cycle time, increased productivity, and enhanced quality performance.

Earned formal certification as a Lean Expert (Black Belt) through structured training and applied project success. Show less

Served as Lean subject matter expert for implementation, product development, and client success. Company acquired by SAP in December 2006.

Led and supported implementations of software solutions designed to enable and sustain Lean manufacturing practices, including:

Heijunka scheduling, kanban systems, supermarkets, takt time planning, and labor resource alignment.

Key contributions:

Acted as Lean manufacturing expert for both client-facing project teams and… Show more

Served as Lean subject matter expert for implementation, product development, and client success. Company acquired by SAP in December 2006.

Led and supported implementations of software solutions designed to enable and sustain Lean manufacturing practices, including:

Heijunka scheduling, kanban systems, supermarkets, takt time planning, and labor resource alignment.

Key contributions:

Acted as Lean manufacturing expert for both client-facing project teams and internal product development efforts.

Supported sales and pre-sales engagements, including client assessments and solution presentations.

Collaborated with product management and marketing teams to align features with Lean principles and industry needs.

Helped shape product direction and client strategy. Show less

Supported global factory operations through the design and implementation of advanced scheduling and materials planning systems aligned with Dell’s “pull-to-order” model.

Key accomplishments:

Co-designed and deployed innovative production scheduling and material planning tools used across Dell factories worldwide to improve responsiveness and reduce inventory.

Played a key role in process design and ramp-up planning for new manufacturing sites, ensuring alignment with Lean… Show more

Supported global factory operations through the design and implementation of advanced scheduling and materials planning systems aligned with Dell’s “pull-to-order” model.

Key accomplishments:

Co-designed and deployed innovative production scheduling and material planning tools used across Dell factories worldwide to improve responsiveness and reduce inventory.

Played a key role in process design and ramp-up planning for new manufacturing sites, ensuring alignment with Lean supply chain principles.

Awarded two U.S. patents for the development of novel materials planning algorithms and scheduling processes that enhanced supply chain agility and execution. Show less

Completed dual masters degree program and six-month operations internship with Kodak's Microprocessor Technology Division. Thesis was titled "An Inventory Planning Methodology for a Semiconductor Manufacturer with Significant Sources of Variability."

Supported multiple machining lines within a high-volume engine manufacturing environment.

Key responsibilities and accomplishments:

Implemented Lean manufacturing practices through GM’s “Competitive Manufacturing” initiative, focusing on process flow, waste reduction, and standardized work.

Led ergonomic improvement projects to enhance safety and reduce operator strain, collaborating directly with frontline team members.

Supported union production teams in driving… Show more

Supported multiple machining lines within a high-volume engine manufacturing environment.

Key responsibilities and accomplishments:

Implemented Lean manufacturing practices through GM’s “Competitive Manufacturing” initiative, focusing on process flow, waste reduction, and standardized work.

Led ergonomic improvement projects to enhance safety and reduce operator strain, collaborating directly with frontline team members.

Supported union production teams in driving safety, quality, and productivity improvements.

Learned directly from a NUMMI-trained plant manager, gaining early, practical exposure to Toyota Production System (TPS) thinking within a U.S. automotive turnaround context. Show less