Root out inefficiencies

Actively eliminate inefficiencies, simplify, and stay laser-focused on what really matters, whilst respecting any un-moveable constraints.

Back to the universal principles

Calibration

Under, just right, over.

Situation	Under	Just Right	Over
A step nobody can explain	Leaves it in because it has always been there.	Removes it, watches the next few runs, and puts it back only if something real breaks.	Removes a step that exists because a constraint cannot move, and finds out in production.
A side effort that is interesting	Keeps it alive because the team enjoys it.	Stops it and puts the time back on the thing that matters this quarter.	Kills a required obligation because it is not the interesting goal.
A constraint that is real	Treats every constraint as optional friction.	Names the ones that cannot move, simplifies around them, and does not pretend they are gone.	Adds process to honor the constraint in three places when one check would do.
A report with one use	Keeps producing it for an audience that no longer reads it.	Asks who decides from it, cuts the rest, and shortens what remains.	Deletes the one figure the decision actually needs.
A full plate	Tries to move every item a little and finishes none of what matters.	Picks the work that matters, finishes that, and explicitly drops the rest for this week.	Drops so much that a real commitment with a date is included in the waste.
Simplifying past the job	Polishes a complicated path instead of removing a step.	Takes out steps until the job is still done and nothing extra remains.	Simplifies until the person who needs the result cannot complete it.

Further reading

Sources and essays on this principle.

Life at Arm
The published wording of this principle, under the 10x Mindset.
arm.com
Arm Company
The mission and company context this principle is meant to serve.
arm.com