A framework for lean manufacturing implementation

Abstract

This paper aims at providing a lean implementation framework, which takes into consideration the strengths and weaknesses of the existing frameworks, for easy and effective lean manufacturing implementation by the managers/practitioners. A review of 22 existing lean implementation frameworks has been done to identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing models. A lean manufacturing implementation framework is proposed by leveraging these strengths and mitigating the weaknesses. The novelty of the proposed framework is that it provides easy to understand steps to be followed during pre-implementation, implementation and post-implementation phases for easy understanding and self assessment at critical milestones. It is believed that the proposed lean implementation framework will serve as a guide map to the managers for lean manufacturing implementation. In addition, the proposed framework is simple yet comprehensive in term of coverage: horizontally, it covers the whole supply chain and vertically it starts from lean philosophy awareness creation and ends with rewards for successful implementation.