Typical Types of Waste

Waste is defined as any activity that does not add value for the customer and that the customer would not be willing to pay for.

Along typical processes, seven types of waste are routinely found:

D	Defects: Having to re-work parts because of manufacturing errors is a large source of waste. Furthermore, identifying such parts by additional sorting and inspections is wasteful, too.
O	Over-Production: A product that cannot be sold or has to be dumped at a reduced price is wasteful.
T	Transportation: Unnecessarily moving parts during the production process is wasteful. It can also cause damage to the part, which creates wasteful rework.
W	Waiting: The operator being idle between operations is wasteful. Generally, it is acceptable for the machine to wait on the operator, but it is unacceptable for the operator to wait on the machine.
I	Inventory: Excess inventory ties up a great deal of cash, which is wasteful. Stockpiling inventory between processes is wasteful.
M	Motion: Unnecessary or awkward operator motions put undue stress on the body and cause waste, often resulting in injuries and workman’s compensation claims.
P	(Over-) Processing: Unclear customer requirements cause the manufacturer to add unnecessary processes, which add wasteful cost to the product.