{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,27]],"date-time":"2026-02-27T11:39:06Z","timestamp":1772192346223,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":77,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"9","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,17]],"date-time":"2025-09-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1758067200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Systems"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Optimizing warehouse operations is a strategic priority for ensuring the timely and efficient flow of materials in industrial environments. In contexts with limited digital infrastructure, organizations often face persistent challenges such as inefficient picking, poor material traceability, and suboptimal space utilization, ultimately leading to productivity losses and operational delays. This paper introduces a systematic, lean-driven framework for warehouse optimization, structured around a sequential methodology involving Define, Improve, and Control. The approach begins with a comprehensive diagnostic phase to evaluate the current state and identify performance gaps. It then guides the development and implementation of targeted interventions aimed at eliminating waste, standardizing operations, and aligning resources with value-added activities. Finally, the framework supports long-term sustainability through continuous monitoring, process standardization, and performance control. The methodology is validated through its application in a parts warehouse within the glass transformation industry, highlighting its adaptability, practical relevance, and capacity to generate meaningful improvements, even in low-digitalization environments. The framework offers a scalable solution for organizations seeking to enhance warehouse performance through structured lean practices.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/systems13090813","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,17]],"date-time":"2025-09-17T14:10:19Z","timestamp":1758118219000},"page":"813","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["A Systematic Lean-Driven Framework for Warehouse Optimization"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Bruno J. B.","family":"Juli\u00e3o","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Coimbra, Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Coimbra, Rua Pedro Nunes, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4997-8865","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Marco S.","family":"Reis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Research Centre for Chemical Engineering and Renewable Resources for Sustainability, Universidade de Coimbra, Rua S\u00edlvio Lima, P\u00f3lo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-2550-4320","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Belmiro P. M.","family":"Duarte","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Coimbra, Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Coimbra, Rua Pedro Nunes, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Research Centre for Chemical Engineering and Renewable Resources for Sustainability, Universidade de Coimbra, Rua S\u00edlvio Lima, P\u00f3lo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores Coimbra, Universidade de Coimbra, Rua S\u00edlvio Lima, P\u00f3lo II, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"56","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compind.2014.12.004","article-title":"An integrated approach for warehouse analysis and optimization: A case study","volume":"70","author":"Dotoli","year":"2015","journal-title":"Comput. Ind."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Womack, J.P., and Jones, D.T. (1996). 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