Streamlined from the Start

This article discusses the importance of lean product development in the manufacturing industry. Lean manufacturing is a concept developed by Toyota more than 30 years ago. It was motivated by the desire to build better and more innovative products with lower costs. The result was the evolution of what is commonly known as the Toyota production system. This system increases efficiency and reduces waste in each area of the production process by eliminating unnecessary efforts and empowering all levels of the workforce. Lean product development is based on the theory of lean manufacturing. The processes focus on simplicity and effectiveness. Lean product development allows for communication between multi-departmental teams, simplifying and keeping the development process moving forward. Using lean product development to manage projects puts accountability on the project owners.