LEAN IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DESIGN OF PRODUCTS
DS 36: Proceedings DESIGN 2006, the 9th International Design Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Year: 2006
Editor: Marjanovic, D.
Author: Stauffer, L. A.
Section: DESIGN PROJECTS AND PROCESSES
Page(s): 641-646
Abstract
The paper is a brief introduction to lean concepts and how they can extend from manufacturing and service processes to that of the interaction between a person and how they use a product. We show how the main concepts of lean—value, pull, and flow—pertain to the relationship between the user and the product. We also show how the categories of waste (overproduction, transportation, motion, inventory, waiting, excess processing, and defects) provide a framework for describing the waste that occurs during the user-product interaction. Reducing this waste should result in a product that provides the user with a more satisfying experience. Philosophically, we believe lean principles can set a new context for thinking about ergonomics as it relates to product design.
Keywords: lean, waste, ergonomics