The principles of lean product development originated in the Japanese manufacturing
industry and are best exemplified by system in use at Toyota, which has come to be known as the leader of lean practices. There are five main steps in the process of lean implementation:
1.Determine the value. This is basically defined by what the customer will or will not pay for.
2.Specify all necessary steps toward achieving value and eliminate those that do not contribute directly to this goal.
3.Map the steps in a concise work flow.
4.Allow the customer to evaluate the product and offer feedback.
5.Continue the cycle until the product is made perfectly, in a process with no waste.
When we talk about "waste" in lean terms, we are essentially referring to any activity that unnecessarily takes up time and/or money, contradicting the ethic of "work smarter, not harder." Examples include: producing higher quantities of a product than demand calls for; excessive waiting periods between production steps; the transportation of items not required for production; and time spent inspecting for product defects when they could be eliminated at the source.
Lean product development should not be mistaken for indiscriminate cost-cutting. Failure to analyze your current process, paying close attention to the way in which each step affects the end result, will defeat the entire purpose and likely cause you to lose money. Find a professional lean consultant who can guide you through the cycle with a trained eye for value and waste. Start small, with one particular product or problem area, and gradually expand the lean implementation practices throughout all aspects of your business. You will soon be working with higher efficiency and profitability than you ever thought possible.