What is a primary goal of Lean manufacturing practices?

The primary goal of Lean manufacturing practices is to eliminate waste. Lean manufacturing focuses on streamlining production processes by identifying and removing non-value-adding activities, which can range from excess inventory and overproduction to unnecessary motion and waiting times. By concentrating on waste reduction, Lean methodologies aim to create more efficient workflows, enhance product quality, and increase responsiveness to customer demands. This emphasis on waste elimination not only drives operational efficiency but also leads to cost savings and improved resource utilization, which can benefit the overall organization.

While the other options may be indirect outcomes of implementing Lean practices, they are not the main objective. For instance, reducing production costs can occur as a result of eliminating waste but is not the end goal. Similarly, improving employee satisfaction might be a beneficial consequence when employees can engage in more meaningful work with smoother processes, but it does not encapsulate the central aim of Lean methodologies. Increasing market share is more aligned with broader business strategies and not specifically targeted by Lean principles.