Which characteristic is primarily associated with Lean methodology?

Lean methodology is primarily associated with the concept of "kaizen," which translates to "continuous improvement." This philosophy emphasizes the need for ongoing improvements in processes, efficiency, and productivity. Kaizen encourages teamwork and worker involvement, seeking to identify waste and streamline processes across all levels of an organization.

While the other choices also relate to Six Sigma and process improvement modalities, they are not as closely aligned with Lean principles as kaizen. Reducing variation is a key aspect of Six Sigma, particularly through the DMAIC framework, while exploratory data analysis focuses on data interpretation rather than process efficiency. The emphasis on continuous, incremental changes through kaizen is what primarily characterizes Lean, highlighting its core focus on improving processes and eliminating waste systematically.