What are the two main principles of lean manufacturing?

Lean manufacturing primarily focuses on maximizing overall value while minimizing waste. The two main principles aligned with this approach are responsiveness to change and minimization of waste.

Responsiveness to change reflects the need for a system that can adapt quickly to new demands, shifts in customer preferences, or unexpected disruptions. This agility is essential in lean manufacturing as it allows organizations to remain competitive and efficient, quickly adjusting operations without compromising the flow of production.

Minimization of waste is a core tenet of lean practices. Waste can take many forms—overproduction, waiting, excess inventory, unnecessary movement, over-processing, defects, and unused talent. By actively identifying and eliminating these wastes, organizations can improve productivity, reduce costs, and ultimately deliver higher value to the customer.

Together, these principles cultivate a manufacturing environment that is efficient, agile, and focused on delivering value. While the other options present important concepts relevant to various aspects of business operations, they do not encapsulate the dual focus of lean manufacturing as effectively as the selected answer.