IDENTIFICATION OF SUITABLE PILOT PROJECTS IN THE FIELD OF LEAN DEVELOPMENT
Year: 2011
Editor: Culley, S.J.; Hicks, B.J.; McAloone, T.C.; Howard, T.J. & Cantemessa, M.
Author: Helten, Katharina; Eben, Katharina G. M.; Lindemann, Udo
Series: ICED
Section: Design Organisation and Management
Page(s): 199-210
Abstract
The long term implementation of philosophies such as lean development requires special conditions and measures. Process improvements and positive effects of changes are difficult to prove. Pilot projects help to involve employees already in early stages. Through such projects, the development team is involved in all necessary phases such as process and waste analysis as well as the search for improving measures and their execution. The change is enforced through a “selfhelp approach” that is essential in SMEs that cannot afford staff functions. Therefore, the presented research project accompanies three companies during their lean development implementation to search for methods and measures that describe a successful pilot project. The authors support the companies through their knowledge in the field of lean development, the moderation of workshops and discussions and an ongoing evaluation. This paper presents a framework for the design of pilot projects based on the aspects company context, waste analysis and measure design. Furthermore, it gives an overview of the most influencing factors for the design of a pilot project and first findings from the project.
Keywords: PILOT PROJECT; LEAN DEVELOPMENT; IMPLEMENTATION; CHANGE MANAGEMENT