Lean Thinking
UndergraduateTAS-ZAA1402025
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 13 July 2025
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 14 weeks
- Start dates
- 21 July 2025
- Price from
- $3,239
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Lean Thinking
About this subject
Upon successful completion of this subject, the student should be able to:
- Identify, describe and communicate the principles and processes of lean thinking.
- Select and apply tools and techniques of lean thinking in an organisational context.
- Identify and reflect on behaviours, principles and perspectives with respect to lean thinking in the workplace.
- Develop, apply and communicate approaches for continuous improvement and organisational excellence.
- Module 1A - Unit Overview
- Module 1B - Introduction to Lean Thinking
- Module 2 - Learning to See Waste
- Interviewing Skill Module
- Module 3 - Lean Beyond Manufacturing
- Module 4 - Lean Culture Part 1
- Module 5 - Lean Tools Part 1
- Module 6 - Lean Tools Part 2
- Module 7 - Lean Culture Part 2
- Module 8 - 5S
- Module 9 - Starting Your 5S Project
- Module 10A - Working on Your 5S Project: Exploring Another 5S
- Module 10B - Exploring 5S Projects: Office 5S example 2
- Module 11 - Extend your Lean Knowledge with Process Charting
- Module 12 - Lean Learning Overview
- Lean Maniac - Paul Akers
This subject focuses on the principles and tools associated with contemporary Lean Thinking and practice. Lean Thinking or ‘lean’ is a systematic method of continuous improvement through minimising waste without sacrificing productivity, creating more value for customers. It has been identified and applied by many organisations as a key strategy to organise human and production activities to deliver more benefits to the organisation and the customer. It does this by eliminating waste, creating knowledge, respecting people, building in quality, visualising practices, and managing workflow. Activities and assessment tasks in this subject will focus on identifying and analysing lean tools, applying them in practice, and assessing their contribution to continuous improvement and excellence in an organisation.
In conjunction with the discipline theory, this subject introduces learning through practice by exposing you to authentic learning experiences. These experiences are placed at the centre of learning and assessment, so you have the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to respond to industry, community and/or global needs.
You will be introduced to:
- a range of methods, tools, techniques and approaches to practice
- principles and perspectives such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership in real world scenarios
- reflection and deliberative thinking as a means of developing knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations
- ways of understanding problems and developing solutions through active inquiry.
- Portfolio and Experiential Learning Report (50%)
- Lean Tools Assessment (30%)
- Waste Walk Reflection & Artefacts (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 20
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Additional requirements
- Other requirements - Teaching Arrangement: Weekly online 90-min Tutorial; 1 x half to full day online Workshop per semester.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Why study a single subject?
Bite sized study
Try studying a particular area to see if online study suits you, or upskill in just a few months with a single subject that you’re interested in.
Pursue a dream
With thousands of single subjects to choose from, you can find topics that get you on the path to your higher education goals fast.
Gain Uni credit
Most single subjects are part of a full degree. That means if you’re keen to keep learning, you can gain credit for the subjects you’ve successfully completed.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Diploma of Applied Technologies (Advanced Manufacturing)
UndergraduateTAS-AAM-DIP
Single subject FAQs
What’s a single subject?
Single subjects are the individual components that make up a degree. With Open Universities Australia, you’re able to study many of them as stand-alone subjects, including postgraduate single subjects, without having to commit to a degree.
Each of your subjects will be held over the course of a study term, and they’ll usually require 10 to 12 hours of study each week. Subjects are identified by a title and a code, for example, Developmental Psychology, PSY20007.
How can I use single subjects to get into a full degree?
First, find the degree that you would like to study on our website.
If that degree allows entry via undergraduate subjects, there will be information about this under the Entry Requirements section. You will find a list of 2-4 open enrolment subjects you need to successfully complete to qualify for admission into that qualification.
Once you pass those subjects, you will satisfy the academic requirements for the degree, and you can apply for entry.
Our student advisors are here to help you take that next step, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you’re ready! We’ve also made it easier to figure out the right way to get started on our pathways page.
Can anyone help me choose a subject?
Our student advisors are more than happy to help you plan your online study. Get in touch with an advisor by:
How do I pay for my subjects?
You can pay up front with your credit card, or you may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government depending on your citizenship status and where you’ll live during your studies.
For more information about how to pay for your studies visit our fees page or contact a student advisor.
How do I enrol?
When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Enrol now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to us and we’ll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.
When is the cut-off date for enrolling?
Close of enrolment times vary between universities and subjects. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting key dates.