Lean Concepts In Educational Technology

> Published on May 2, 2023

Just pondering the idea of lean project management concepts in relation to the field of K-12 educational technology (ed-tech) operations in helping to increase operational value, improve work flow, and reduce waste.

Concepts include:

Systems Thinking (How does this affect the entire organization? How does this benefit us beyond right now?)

Customer Focus (Who are our actual “customers”? Students, Staff, Administration?)

Continuous Improvement (How can we improve our processes?)

Visualizing Work (How do we measure, limit, collaborate, make transparent, and increase the accountability of our work?)

Create Value / Reduce Waste (Are we using public tax dollars or private contributions wisely and in good faith? Are the solutions we implement positively impacting our actual “customers”?)

Leadership (Are we leading by example? Are we working together with our entire organization to learn and improve? Are we communicating and collaborating as a team?)

Footnotes

Anderson, David J, and Andy Carmichael. 2016. Essential Kanban Condensed. Seattle, Wash. Lean Kanban University Press.

Benson, Jim, and Tonianne Demaria Barry. 2011. Personal Kanban : Mapping Work, Navigating Life. Seattle, Wa: Modus Cooperandi Press.

Niklas Modig, and Pär Åhlström. 2016. This Is Lean : Resolving the Efficiency Paradox. Stockholm Rheologica Publishing.

Degrandis, Dominica, and Tonianne Demaria. 2017. Making Work Visible : Exposing Time Theft to Optimize Work & Flow. Portland, Or: It Revolution Press.

Meadows, Donella H. 2008. Thinking in Systems: A Primer. Illustrated edition. White River Junction, Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing.

Greenleaf, Robert K, Kent M Keith, Cheryl Bachelder, Linda W Belton, Patricia M Falotico, Don M Frick, Isabel Lopez, Larry C Spears, and Duane Trammell. 2016. The Contemporary Servant as Leader. Atlanta, Ga: The Greenleaf Center For Servant Leadership.