APPLICATION OF LEAN THININKING IN THE STUDENT AFFAIRS SECTOR OF QATAR UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Lean thinking is one of the well-known techniques that aims to create more value to customers with minimum used resources via minimizing or eliminating wastes. While the lean concepts is traditionally applied in manufacturing industry, it can be implemented in service industry such as educational institutions. This report introduces the lean thinking using the value stream mapping tool on two processes of the student affairs sector at Qatar University (QU) in order to validate the approach of lean methods in service industry. The first process is the scholarship exemption request process under the admission department at QU. The other process is the external transfer which is under the registration department at QU. The first process shows a great percentage of improvement of the process after implementing the lean principle (almost 70% improvement). Furthermore, an action plan is suggested for the second process