To provide instruction, research and further development of interdisciplinary principles and practices of Lean organizational improvement for business, education and public service.
About the Institute
Established in 2002 with a $1 million
contribution by Dennis Pawley, OU Board of Trustees member and alumnus,
the Pawley Lean Institute (PLI) offers Lean courses, resources and trainings.
The first Lean graduate course, Lean Principles and Application, began in Winter 2004. Three schools, the School of Education and Human Services, the School of Engineering and Computer Science, and the School of Business Administration, worked together to teach the course.
The Lean undergraduate course, HRD 304: Lean Principles and Practices in Organizations, will run in the fall and winter semesters. This interactive course was designed to teach the principles and practices of Lean through hands-on simulations, guest speakers and on-site tours.
In 2008, the first Lean Thinking for Schools
seminar was held at the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. School
systems from the across the state participated, with many scheduling
follow up workshops for school administrators.
PLI moved to the Macomb-OU INCubator in November 2010 with the goal of bringing the benefits of Lean to even more community members and local businesses as well as connecting OU students with businesses for internships and learning opportunities.
Dennis Pawley, Pawley Institute Founder 
As the former executive vice president of manufacturing for Chrysler
Corporation, Pawley developed the Chrysler Operating System in the
early 1990s to restore productivity and streamline procedures.
"Similar to major corporations, universities must remain competitive to
produce a better product ... future employees," Pawley said.
Pawley said the concept of Lean thinking will benefit the
automotive industry and Oakland students who are schooled in the
philosophy of Lean.
"There's a great need to expand educational opportunities to students
nationwide. As we look forward to the next century, America can only
remain a leader in manufacturing through joint efforts between
universities and corporations. That's why developing specific curricula
to meet those challenges are so important."
Pawley graduated from OU's School of Education and Human Services in 1982. He served as a director to the OU Foundation from 1993-96, and again from 1999 to the present. He was a member of the Board of Trustees
from 1996-98. He is chair and CEO of Pawley Enterprises in Farmington,
Mich. In 1997, he and his wife, Carlotta, donated $2 million to
Oakland University to support the schools of Education and Human Services, and Engineering and Computer Science.
Pawley was awarded the OU Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award in
2001. He has been an active alumni volunteer and has devoted many years
of service to the university.