About the Lean Leadership certification

Lean Leadership is a leadership approach that originated and gained popularity through Toyota's leadership development model. Its guiding principle is not only to teach methods and techniques, but to empower leaders and employees to develop continuous improvement skills at every level of the organization.

The LLPC™ is designed for managers, team leads and anyone who wants to lead with a Lean mindset, in any industry. It does not require prior experience or a paid course. You study the official material at your own pace, take the exam online when you feel ready, and only pay if you decide to make your result official.

• Lean thinking
• Waste elimination
• Kaizen
• PDCA cycle
• Coaching
• Shop floor management
• Visual management

How to get the LLPC™ certification

Two free steps. No sign-up fee and no credit card needed.

1. Step 3: pass with 60% or moreAnswer at least 12 of 20 questions correctly.
2. Step 4 (optional): make it officialClaim the official certificate and digital badge after you pass. See what is free and what is paid.

Why Lean leadership skills matter

Figures come from the independent sources linked on each card.

What you'll learn

1. Fundamentals of Lean Leadership

   The origins of Lean Leadership at Toyota, its guiding principle of empowerment and its core objective of continuous improvement.

2. Lean basics and the seven wastes

   Waiting, motion, inventory, transport, overproduction, defects and over-processing, and how they show up in both production and administrative work.

3. The Toyota Production System

   How TPS optimizes processes while fostering respect for people and became the foundation of the Lean methodology.

4. Lean Leadership development

   The shift from traditional management to Lean leadership, the development models that guide it and the competencies leaders must cultivate.

5. Systems and concepts

   The leadership development model: personal development, coaching others, supporting daily Kaizen and aligning goals with the PDCA cycle.

6. Strategy implementation

   Turning plans and objectives into concrete actions, coordinating teams and adjusting strategies so they stay aligned with Lean principles.

7. Shop floor management

   Going to where the work happens to observe processes, identify problems, act immediately and strengthen communication with frontline teams.

8. Visual management

   Using visual boards so everyone understands the team's mission, sees current problems and knows the planned improvements.

The official study guide is organized in five modules that cover eight topics, from Lean fundamentals to shop floor and visual management.

Who this certification is for

• Students and beginnersA first, recognizable Lean credential for your résumé.
• Managers and department headsLead your area with a Lean mindset and a focus on eliminating waste.
• Team leadsCoach your team and support daily continuous improvement.
• Professionals in any industryApply Lean leadership principles in manufacturing, services or office work.

LLPC™ exam format

LLPC™ vs. Six Sigma vs. Kaizen training

All three focus on improvement, but they take different strategic approaches.

Ready to go further? CertiProf's Agile Leader Professional Certification (ALPC™) covers organizational agility and leading high-performance teams in complex environments.

Learn more about Lean Leadership

What is free and what is paid

Taking the LLPC™ exam costs nothing. You only pay if you pass and decide you want official proof of your result.

Want several certifications? See all certification options, including the bundle.

Frequently asked questions