Customers and markets identify needs and problems and companies design products and services to fill or solve them. While this relationship may seem straightforward, the development process in most companies is often a root cause for customer dissatisfaction and can lead to substantial waste throughout an enterprise. Mistakes made on the proverbial drawing board can have a significant impact on an organization for many years. Therefore, the application of lean thinking and detailed mapping to the development process is especially important, particularly when one considers the ever shortening product and service life cycle experienced in most industries. In Value Stream Mapping for Lean Development, Drew Locher provides an accessible, enjoyable, how-to guide to value stream mapping that highlights its tremendous impact on product development and accompanying processes.
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Bridging Theory and Practice in (Lean) Product Development
Review Date: August 19, 2009
Reviewer: John Kim, Davenport, IA
I want to commend the author on both "what" he decided to cover and "how" he chose to introduce critical concepts to understanding and Improving Product Development processes (ie performance). There are many books which discuss the theory and the application of Lean Product Development at Toyota, however this is the first book that avoids the temptation of saying that "Toyota's way is THE way for every situation."
Our industry has a myriad of books about 'Lean tools'. What we all realized (in manufacturing) is the notion that it is not in the emulation of Toyota that "Lean" is best applied to an organization or Business Situation. Mr Locher's book introduces a practical approach to identifying those specific aspects of Lean Product Development that one can extract and implement within their processes. Drews message is not one that says you must "abandon" your current processes, nor does it say which tools you must utilize. It is a book that effectively puts into perspective the concepts,tools, theory and practices that comprise effective (and continuously learning) Product Development Value Streams.
At the end of the day, it simply is not good enough to do 'stuff' in Product Development that sounds 'lean' (ie copy what everyone thinks Toyota does every time). Where the author is exceptional is how he introduces the concepts, approach and methodology in such a way as to allow the reader to 'see' how different techniques can be used to improve process/project performance (specifically .. Speed to Market, Quality of result, productivity of resources).
If one was ever looking for a practical understanding of 3P, QFD, VOC, Obeya, Design for manufacturability, concurrent engineering .. etc the final chapters and the appendix of this book are worth the investment itself. Without question, we all need the theory of 'text books' on Lean Product Development on our shelves. However we also need something (or someone) to serve as a practical guide to help us 'see' how the right concepts, applied in the right areas (processes), looking for the 'right wastes' can be used to improve our performance metrics. This book is a must read....
Practical guide to Mapping Product Development
Review Date: March 5, 2009
Reviewer: Kevin J. Duggan, North Kingstown, RI USA
Applying lean concepts to product development has not been an easy task. Many are striving to follow the Toyota model by adapting the thirteen principles of their product development system. They read books and hire consultants to try and apply what Toyota has done to their product development cycle. Drew Locher's book on Value Stream Mapping for Lean Development shows us another more powerful way, which any company can apply.
In Value Stream Mapping for Lean Development, the author teaches us how to apply value stream mapping to the product development process. It is done in a simple and concise manner. He provides a process for creating lean flow through the development process. He describes the method to map the current state development process, allowing all involved to see how their present development process works. While most companies think the next step is to brainstorm improvements, the author provides seven principles or guidelines to follow in order to create a lean future state.
The principles taught in this book are not only applied through the use of a case study, the author an abundance of `Lean Notes' throughout the book that share real life applications of the techniques used at real companies.
This book calls itself the `How-to Guide for Streamlining Time to Market', and it is that and more. It is a practical guide that provides a process to `lean out' the complex world of product development, one that you can apply to your company, and one that you can teach to your people.
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Bridging Theory and Practice in (Lean) Product Development
