Lean Engineering in higher education: a case study at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

ABSTRACT

Lean Engineering can be used in the higher education sector to improve administrative processes. This study focused on the unit that delivers part-time programmes. Staff from this unit and from the faculty registries were interviewed to identify which processes were being used. A workshop used five Lean tools to establish which were most useful. Interviews were used to confirm the analysis of the outcomes of the workshop, leading to a proposed model for the application of these tools. This resulted in a model that uses the Kipling Analysis with process flow mapping to understand the current state with an overarching approach that draws on DMAIC. This study aims to use Lean in a context where its methods and processes are not commonly known or used, and can be used in several pilot studies to increase awareness of the value of Lean within the institution, leading to its more holistic implementation.

KEYWORDS:

• Higher education
• Kipling Analysis
• process flow mapping
• DMAIC

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nicoleen Potgieter

Nicoleen Potgieter is the Deputy Registrar of the University of the Witwatersrand who has recently completed her MSc (Engineering) exploring Lean Engineering in higher education.

Teresa Hattingh

Teresa Hattingh is a Senior Lecturer in Industrial Engineering at North West University.

Anne Fitchett

Anne Fitchett is an Associate Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a background in architecture and project management.