About the Author

Stephen A. Ruffa is an aerospace engineer, a Shingo Prize–winning author, and the originator of the concept of lean dynamics. His distinctive observations are framed by a quarter century of background engaged in supporting many of the Defense Department’s dynamic needs—from the design, manufacture, test, and repair of cutting-edge aircraft, to projects ensuring the availability of critical supplies for wartime demand surges. His joint government-industry study of lean manufacturing tools and practices across seventeen aerospace producers, together with his experience with implementing business improvement initiatives and his research on today’s leading firms, gives him the unique perspective that made this project possible. He is the author of Going Lean: How the Best Companies Apply Lean Manufacturing Principles to Shatter Uncertainty, Drive Innovation, and Maximize Profits (AMACOM, 2008), and is coauthor of Breaking the Cost Barrier: A Proven Approach to Managing and Implementing Lean Manufacturing (John Wiley & Sons, 2000). He provides consulting and other assistance to organizations seeking to apply lean dynamics through his company, Lean Dynamics Research, LLC, where he can be reached at www.leandynamics.net.