Towards a Lean Perspective in Product Development: A Case Study of a Global Company in Sweden

Abstract

This research aims to analytically view the product development processes of a global company in terms of lean. The project circumvents the company's development processes in relation to three imperative lean features i.e. soft aspects of lean, waste elimination, and information flow. The project is qualitative in nature and explores the connections between aforementioned lean aspects. The tools employed in this explorative study includes semi-structured interviews, document study, meetings, and observations. This case study reveals that the extinct integration between different PD processes create many gray areas. It is concluded that company needs to see the ecosystem of product development from a different view point. Learning and knowledge being the core of sustainable lean development should particularly be taken care of by taking some thought provoking steps.