Optimize the Whole

Category: Lean Principles

Principle Intent

Optimize the end-to-end value delivery system rather than individual teams or components. System performance is determined by flow across the whole, not by local efficiency.

How to Apply This Principle

This principle is part of the Entrowise Principles Library and is used in the PPA Method to diagnose recurring delivery problems and develop principle-aligned actions. When this principle is violated, delivery teams often experience recurring symptoms that resist solution because the root cause—the violated principle—is never addressed directly.

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