Today SMEs in the Service field must be "more flexible and better structured", with more adaptable and responsive structures, allowing them to implement constant changes, whilst maintaining their competitiveness.

For service SMEs, LEAN Services is the first step toward competitiveness.

Within the framework of the European ADAPT programme, financed by the European Social Fund, DRTEFP, DRIRE and the companies involved, CEFORALP successfully designed and implemented LEAN Services processs in 52 small and medium-sized Rhône Alpes companies between 1998 and 2000.

The programme hightlighted 247 strong points and 239 weak points, it also suggested 200 plans of action, and partook in 110 of them. 15 consultants were mobilized over 810 half-days. In total, 840 people took part in the programme.