Define "Lean Manufacturing" in the context of production practices.

Lean Manufacturing is a methodology aimed at minimizing waste while maintaining productivity, which is why this choice is correct. This approach is based on the principle of creating more value for customers with fewer resources. It focuses on identifying and eliminating waste in all forms, such as excess inventory, waiting times, unnecessary transportation, and defects, while ensuring that production processes remain efficient and effective.

In practice, Lean Manufacturing emphasizes continuous improvement and encourages a work culture that values innovation and employee involvement in problem-solving. It investigates every step of the production process and seeks to streamline operations to enhance efficiency without compromising quality. By doing so, companies can deliver products that meet customer demands more effectively and economically.

The other options fail to capture the core essence of Lean Manufacturing. For example, the focus on maximizing output regardless of waste does not align with the principles of Lean, which prioritize the elimination of waste along with efficiency. Reducing labor costs, while a potential outcome, is not the central tenet of Lean, which encompasses a wider range of waste reduction beyond labor. Finally, while minimizing inventory is a goal of Lean practices, the concept does not call for the complete elimination of inventory, as some level of inventory is often necessary to ensure smooth production flow. Thus, the emphasis remains on