Tools and Techniques from Lean and Project Management for New Product Development

The broad picture about the use of lean thinking and project management in New Product Development (NPD) was discussed here and here respectively. The two approaches have some similarities and differences as shown here. The bodies of knowledge about these two areas provide different tools and techniques, yet, not all of them are applicable to …

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Project Management and Lean Thinking: Similarities and Differences in New Product Development

After discussing role of lean thinking in the New Product Development (NPD) process here, alongside with the role of the project management for the same purpose here, it is the time to examine the similarities and differences between the two approaches. Within this context, NPD is defined as " the sequence of steps or activities …

Project Management and the New Product Development

Coming up with the next big thing is always a challenge. As discussed before, New Product Development (NPD) becomes a core competency for many industries. Historically, there are four types of NPD which are (Ulrich & Eppinger 2008, p.35): New product platforms; Derivatives of existing product platforms; Incremental improvements to existing products; Fundamentally new products. …

Lean Thinking and the New Product Development

New Product Development (NPD) becomes a core competency for many industries. In automotive companies, for example, it creates a larger 'strategic differentiation' even more than their manufacturing proficiency (Morgan & Liker 2006, p.8). An excellence study conducted by Arthur D. Little in 2005 revealed that "top innovators have 2.5 times higher sales of new products …