LEAN Product Development (LPD)

The LEAN methodology is a systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste through continuous improvement. The purpose of LEAN is to produce more with fewer resources by eliminating waste. The LEAN methodology is derived from the organization strategy and its goal is to supply value added to the customer. The definition of value added is:

• Something for which the customer is willing to pay
• It changes the product or the information
• It is done right at the first time

The main technique of the LEAN philosophy is to establish a continuous flow from suppliers through the internal organizations to the final customer. This paper will show that by implementing LPD practices during the development process, leads to:

• Supplying a product that meets the needs of the customer.
• Shortening the development and production cycle times.
• Reducing the development and production costs.