A Lean approach in the upstream phase of the product life cycle: Lean Enterprise Model practices applications and analysis from industrial use-cases

The Lean methodology is an interesting way to improve industrial companies’ performance. To implement Lean, training appears to be an important success factor. In the early 2000s, the Lean Aerospace Initiative introduced the Lean Enterprise Model (LEM), which defines Lean practices and offers training support to companies who want to implement this method. The upstream phase of the product life cycle, from product concept to first serial deliveries, is a key period for a new product and its company. Product characteristics and internal processes defined and used during this phase directly affect companies’ performances. The purpose of this study is to define LEM practices adopted by industrial companies and assess the perceived benefits and effort involved in implementing them during the upstream phase of the product life cycle. To analyse industrial practices, we conducted two surveys. A first audit concerned the adoption of LEM practices in the upstream phase of the product life cycle (203 industrial respondents). A second audit measured the perceived gain/effort rates of implementing LEM practices during this period (117 industrial respondents). This study provides a better understanding of LEM practices adoption by industrialists during the early product life and defines implementation priorities.