DLF v2.4 — On a page
Nishida lean vertical · Companion to the Digital Lean Framework v2.4
The four lean levels are vertically connected. Top-down read: values translate all the way down to tools. Bottom-up read: every tool must trace back up to a principle, a pillar, a value. If it can't trace — it's lean theater.
LEVEL 1
Values
How the organization IS
Teamwork
Collective, not solo
Communication
4+1 types (with Jidoka)
Frugality + waste
Eliminate muda
↓translate into / justify back to↑
LEVEL 2
Pillars
How the organization THINKS
1. Law Zero
Process > technology
2. Internal chain
Customer-supplier
3. Flow physics
3 Laws + Matrix
4. Needs
Direct + 3 sources
5. Digital Jidoka
Visibility + anomalies
↓guide / recall↑
LEVEL 3
Operating principles
What the organization DOES
VALUE ←→
Proximity + Density
STREAM ←→
VSM + bottleneck
CLEAN ←→
9 muda + 3 sources
KAIZEN
Evolutionary capability
↓require / serve↑
LEVEL 4
Tools
What the organization HAS — temporary countermeasures
VERTICAL TRACE EXAMPLE
Frugality + waste removal→Pillar 4 (Needs + 3 sources)→CLEAN→9 muda checklist
If you use "9 muda checklist" and can't trace it back up to the Frugality value, the tool is orphan. See Lean Test #1.
SECTION 5
Assessment workflow — the order of steps
0A — Boundaries
Unit + abstraction
0B — Matrix
From → To quadrant
0C — Needs
Direct / indirect
0D — Chain
Internal customer
0E — Jidoka
Flow visibility
SECTION 6
Lean Test — three anti-theater questions (end of sprint)
TEST 1 — TOOL
Orphan tool
For every tool you used in this sprint, can you name in 30s a) which DLF principle it serves and b) what value the customer gets from it?
No → orphan tool. Suspend it or reconnect to its principle.
TEST 2 — METHOD
Cosmetic method
In the last 3 sprints, did a flow metric actually move? DLI, flow ratio, throughput, matrix position, traction work?
No → cosmetic method. Diagnose source and dimension.
TEST 3 — STRATEGY
Strategy adrift
In the last 3 sprints, did any customer (internal or external) get a real gain? Fewer reminders, fewer escalations?
No → strategy adrift. Go back to Step 0A/0C.
Three yes = framework aligned · One no = fix it · Two no = stop · Three no = back to Law Zero
SECTION 7
Application surface — 4 operational tracks + 1 transversal layer
IT and Digital Service Delivery
Incidents, access, data, observability, MLOps
Cybersecurity
Lean cyber resilience
Leadership & People
Lean leadership lab
AI Adoption
Process before model
+ 1 Transversal layer
Digital Transformation Programs
End-to-end redesign / migration initiatives that span the 4 specialist tracks
Today the DLF is focused on these 4 + 1. Future versions extend to additional tracks and layers.