Abstract

Lean communication is a unique perspective on lean thinking and how it relates to organisational communication. The problem is that lean organisations do not always align their communication process with lean thinking principles. Therefore, the aim of the study was to develop a conceptual lean-focused communication protocol to guide decision-making when there is a need to convey information. A communication strategy planning tool is used to design a communication protocol, resulting in a specific output of language, media, and message style for effective and accurate communication. The study produced a conceptual protocol for communication that could help organisations align their communication process with lean thinking by meeting specific design requirements and minimising the communication waste identified. The solution impacts the industrial engineering industry by showing how technical thinking and philosophies such as lean can be applied to human behaviour and processes. Also, business operations can be improved by addressing problems with a focus on human engineering.