Lean Engineering
Context
An increasing number of industrial groups are looking at so called "Lean Engineering" : some of them are assessing its potential contribution while others have initiated its complete implementation, finally some just "do it" !
But what does "Lean Engineering" actually mean ? Lean approaches have long been put in place for production (manufacturing, administrative processes, ?), but when it comes to Engineering, different interpretations of Lean can be found :
- One is to consider Engineering as a "Design Factory", where Product Value Stream oriented principles inspired by Lean Manufacturing shall be put in place : reducing stocks (of information), diminishing non-value added tasks (looking for information), better sequencing of tasks for cycle time reduction, etc...
- Another, inspired by Toyota, is not only to tackle the Product Value Stream but to re-consider some concepts and principles of design : learning first and then developing i.e. go as much into details in up-stream feasibility phases with Set-Based Engineering and knowledge orientated management tools.
Vinci Consulting has long helped Engineering and R&D Departments of various industrial corporations in implementing Product Value Stream oriented transformations. Methodologies based on Values Stream Mapping and Project Management through Deliverables are the framework of our tailored actions.
Strategic Partnership 
Together with our strategic partner Targeted Convergence Corporation (TCC), we now offer a set of Set-Based ThinkingTM workshops, seminars, and tools designed to enable your organization's transformation to what we call : Learning-First Product Development (LFPD), thus strengthening our Lean Engineer offer on the "Knowledge Value Stream" side.
LFPD is based on the highly acclaimed Toyota Product Development System, but adapted for deployment within western culture and organizations. The transformation of an organization to LFPD practices is fully described in the book Ready, Set, Dominate by TCC principals (Michael Kennedy, Ed Minnock, and Kent Harmon), including two case studies of companies who have successfully embarked on this transformation.
First Step : An Executive Overview Seminar
Our Executive Overview Seminar is the first step of a transformation project geared to dramatically improving the efficiency and productivity of engineering organizations, including the critical change management issues that need to be addressed. The seminar provides a clear understanding of the Toyota Product Development System and how it achieves four times the productivity of most western companies. It lays out the key changes that organizations must make, such that all the attendees leave with a clear picture of both the opportunities for improvement within their organization(s) and the challenges that must be overcome to make that a reality.
While the seminar is appropriate for all involved in product development (including those in product marketing, manufacturing engineering, and research), it is particularly focused on executive management and product development leaders responsible for the productivity of their organizations and who are willing to :
- Understand the potential of Learning First Product Development,
- Benchmark themselves with other industries or paradigm regarding Product Development,
- Evaluate the opportunity to initiate a Change Program in their Engineering - R&D Department and learn the key drivers to start it off
Next Steps : How to move further ?
We have developed a complete methodology that encompasses both approaches to Lean Engineering.
It can browsed through a file 
which :
- Structures the key dimensions of the Lean Engineering methodology through Concepts, Issues and Key Success Factors
- Gives illustrations of both Issues and Key Success Factors
- Explains the methodology with an Overview and Detailed Steps
For more information, you can receive a full presentation file of the Lean Engineering Methodology by sending us a request at :
info@vinci-consulting.com
