without increasing costs. This sequence would also get it eventually to its desired position
on the new frontier. Note that both approaches are very consistent with both the traditional
concept of manufacturing strategy and lean manufacturing. They only differ in what
comes first. Advocates of “lean manufacturing” tend to argue that the major challenge
is making the transition to the new frontier, and that adjusting one’s position along that
frontier is just “icing on the cake.” Those who are intimidated by the magnitude of the
changes required by the lean manufacturing approach might see the second approach as
being much easier to implement.