Which of the following methods is primarily used to improve efficiency and decrease waste?

Lean Manufacturing is primarily used to improve efficiency and decrease waste by streamlining processes and eliminating non-value-added activities. The core principle of Lean is to identify and eliminate sources of waste, which can be identified in various forms, such as excess inventory, overproduction, waiting times, unnecessary transportation, and defects.

Lean focuses on delivering value to the customer while minimizing resources, emphasizing continuous improvement and the optimization of workflows. It employs tools and methodologies like value stream mapping, 5S (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain), and Kaizen (continuous improvement), all of which contribute to creating a more efficient and productive environment.

In contrast, Total Quality Management (TQM) integrates quality into every aspect of an organization but does not specifically focus on waste reduction as its primary goal. Six Sigma aims to reduce variation and defects in processes, utilizing statistical tools and a structured methodology, but its primary focus is on quality improvement rather than waste elimination. Benchmarking is a strategic process of comparing performance metrics with industry standards or best practices, but it does not inherently provide techniques for waste reduction or efficiency improvement.