African Journal of
Business Management

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Bus. Manage.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1993-8233
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJBM
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 4198

Full Length Research Paper

A proposed dynamic model for a lean roadmap

Alireza Anvari1*, Norzima Zulkifli2, Rosnah Mohd Yusuff2, Seyed Mohammad Hossein Hojjati3 and Yusof Ismail4
1Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, IAU, Gachsaran Branch, Iran. 2Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, UPM, Malaysia. 3Department of Industrial Engineering, IAU, Shiraz Branch, Iran. 4Department of Manufacturing Engineering, UMP, Malaysia.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 15 February 2011
  •  Published: 18 August 2011

Abstract

Lean manufacturing is an integrated socio-technical system. Its main objectives are to eliminate waste and reduce the variability of suppliers, customers, and internal resources and processes. A “lean” roadmap guides the transition from an existing operation to one that fully implements a “lean” philosophy and its best practices. In this study a comparative literature review showed that there is no standard model in use for implementing “lean”. Existing research indicates that there are 3 phases that incorporate 22 steps to “leanness” and the following “lean” steps are frequently cited: pilot project, planning, objectives, training, and value stream mapping. Based on the findings, a dynamic model for a “lean” roadmap was proposed to account for the dynamic conditions of a high variability environment.

 

Key words: Lean manufacturing, lean journey, lean roadmap, dynamic model.