Business Operator's Blueprint - Free Tool

8 Wastes Self-Audit

Score the eight wastes 1-5 and see typical-range dollar impact. Print the audit.

Companion to: Business Operator's Blueprint Chapter 4 - Workbook tab Ch4 · Waste Audit

Toyota 8 Wastes Self-Audit

Score each waste 1-5 (1 = pervasive problem, 5 = no issue). Enter your annual revenue to convert severity to dollar impact (typical loss = 5-15% of revenue per waste category).

WasteDescriptionScore 1-5Est $ Loss
DefectsRework, scrap, customer complaints--
OverproductionProducing before customer demand--
WaitingIdle people / equipment--
Non-Utilized TalentPeople doing work below their skill--
TransportationMoving material more than necessary--
InventoryExcess raw / WIP / finished--
MotionExcess people movement at station--
Extra-ProcessingMore work than the customer pays for--
How this works

The eight wastes are Toyota Production System's diagnostic checklist. The standard Lean acronym is DOWNTIME: Defects, Overproduction, Waiting, Non-utilized talent, Transportation, Inventory, Motion, Extra-processing.

The $-loss bands here use a benchmark of up to ~3% of revenue per category at the worst score, scaling to zero at the best. These are typical ranges from Lean literature; pressure-test against your own value-stream map.

Educational only. Not professional advice. Always validate model outputs with your accountant, attorney, or qualified specialist before acting.
About this tool

Part of the Business Operator's Blueprint companion toolkit. The full guide (250+ pages, $79) maps every operating-system framework Phil Baratelli has tested across hospitality, manufacturing, distribution, and capital allocation. Get the guide →

Baratelli Institute · Philip A. Baratelli, CPA, MBA · baratelliinstitute.com

Educational references and tools — not legal, tax, accounting, or investment advice, and not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Consult a qualified professional about your specific situation. © 2026 The Baratelli Institute.