The lean principle associated with removing non-value-added steps is often referred to as what?

• A. Just-in-Time
• B. Kaizen
• C. Elimination of waste (Muda)
• D. Jidoka

Answer: (C)

Elimination of waste, or Muda, is the lean focus on removing non-value-added steps. In Lean, activities are classified as value-added (they transform the product toward customer needs) or non-value-added (they don’t add value but still consume time or resources). The goal is to identify and remove those wasteful steps to improve flow, reduce cycle time, and cut costs. Muda covers common wastes like unnecessary motion, waiting, and over-processing, which are exactly the steps lean targets to streamline. The other terms relate to lean tools or philosophies—Just-in-Time emphasizes timing and inventory, Kaizen is continuous improvement, and Jidoka involves automated defect detection and stopping the line—but they don’t name the act of removing non-value-added steps itself.