A framework for choosing among different lean-based improvement programs

Abstract

This paper proposes a practical framework for choosing among different lean-based improvement programs in a one-machine environment and applies it in a company in the aeronautics industry. For the studied environment, i.e., a single machine and machining process bottleneck, the application of the proposed framework resulted in a potential 84.63 % improvement in lead time, which can be obtained by improving the mean time between failures by 1373 % and requires an effort of 5880 h. Alternatively, a 34.76 % reduction in lead time is also possible through a 1960-h investment in labor; this improves the coefficient of variation of repair time by 72 %. It is believed that the model proposed here can help managers in practice to quantify and choose between different options of lean-based improvement programs in single-machine or single-cell environments with flowshop standards and a predominant machine, which is typical of lean manufacturing systems.