John Shook

John Shook was the first American employee at Toyota’s world headquarters starting in 1983 and that company’s first American “kacho” (manager) in Japan. In his 11 year Toyota career, John also served as deputy general manager of the Toyota Production System Support Center (TSSC), which assists automotive suppliers to implement lean manufacturing.

He consults widely on lean manufacturing and is a principal in the Training Within Industry (TWI) Network, a group of lean manufacturing specialists. He maintains affiliations with the Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI) and the University of Michigan’s Japan Technology Management Program. He is co-author, with Mike Rother, of the popular value stream mapping (VSM) workbook, Learning to See, published by LEI. He was also author of Managing to Learn about A3 problem solving and coaching.

Influences

• Toyota Production System

Influenced

• NUMMI

Links

• John Shook profile on LEI

Books

• Managing to Learn: Using the A3 Management Process to Solve Problems, Gain Agreement, Mentor and Lead
• Learning to See: Value Stream Mapping to Add Value and Eliminate MUDA
• Lean Lexicon: A Graphical Glossary for Lean Thinkers
• Kaizen Express: Fundamentals for Your Lean Journey (English and Japanese Edition)
• VSM Participant Guide for Training to See: A Value Stream Mapping Workshop

Videos