All manufacturers are linked with service operations. Of course, there is waste in service also. In the "back office" the traditional most of the above wastes can be applied using a little imagination. Overproduction, for instance, can relate to excess photocopying, wasted food, and excess meetings. Inappropriate processing may relate to excess e mails, copies in triplicate, and over-fancy Powerpoint presentations. However, many service operations are consumed as they are generated, as in phone conversations so inventory may not be as applicable.

In "front office" operations, customer-related wastes are more relevant. A few of the more important customer service wastes are described in the following sections