DEMATEL is a multicriteria decision-making method used to analyse interrelationships and identify the cause‒and‒effect structure between different factors in a system. This method calculates the intensity of the factors’ influence on each other, divides them into two categories, "influencing" and "affected", and displays the relationships between them in the form of a directed graph. DEMATEL can help decision-makers identify key factors and set priorities for improving system performance or solving complex problems. Lean manufacturing is an approach to production management designed to eliminate waste in processes, reduce costs, and increase value for customers. DEMATEL is used in lean manufacturing to identify cause‒and‒effect relationships between factors affecting production. This method can identify key factors in eliminating waste, evaluate the impact of changes, and prioritize improvement actions. As a result, it helps optimize lean processes and achieves continuous improvement. In this study, 14 lean production tools were first identified by reviewing the literature. Then, 10 more comprehensive tools were selected on the basis of expert opinion. Finally, these 10 tools were prioritized via the fuzzy DEMATEL technique. The prioritization results show that effective tools, including the plan, do, check, act (PDCA) thinking method along with Kaizen, ABC analysis for inventory control, and visual inventory control at workstations, play a key role in improving lean production processes. On the other hand, effective tools, such as the use of failure mode and effects analysis to reduce equipment failure and the use of reliability based maintenance, have been more effective in optimizing production systems.