Affiliations: Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics and
Engineering Systems Division, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge,
MA 02139, USA | Engineering Systems Division, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Correspondence address: 1511 N.
Glenwood Dr., Stillwater, OK 74075, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Dr. Deborah J. Nightingale, Department of
Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge,
MA 02139, USA; Tel. 617-253-7339; E-mail: dnight@mit.edu
Abstract: The Lean Enterprise Self-Assessment Tool (LESAT) was developed by an
industry/govern-ment/ academia team under the auspices of the Lean Aerospace
Initiative (LAI) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2000 and 2001.
Based upon a user needs determination, a Capability Maturity Model format was
selected. The current version of LESAT, released in August 2001, is the result
of a joint effort between the U.S. LAI and the United Kingdom LAI. Extensive
field-testing in more than 20 companies in both countries demonstrated the
tool's utility, effectiveness and ease of use. Further refinements are planned
for the future.
