REDUCTION OF RICE PROCESSING TIME USING LEAN CONCEPTS: A CASE STUDY OF A HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION

Abstract

This study investigates the STAR organization, a humanitarian group in Myanmar, addressing delays in food delivery operations. The organization experienced an average lead time of 66 days—21 days longer than the target of 45 days—between the contract stage and warehouse delivery. Ensuring timely food delivery is critical to STAR’s mission. Lean tools, including process mapping, fishbone diagrams, and five-whys analysis, were employed to identify and resolve root causes of delays. Data from 2023–2024 and employee interviews supported the redesign of processes, implementation of actionable steps, and improved monitoring procedures. Implemented in early 2024, these changes eliminated the 21-day delay and further reduced delivery time by 8 days, achieving a total lead time reduction of 29 days. This study highlights the potential of Lean methodologies to enhance the efficiency of humanitarian supply chains.