Implementing a product platform in 35 man-days: The visual thinking approach

This paper demonstrates how a company can implement a product platform in 35 man-days. Instead of developing a new platform, the main idea of this platform is to make decisions concerning good solutions to a product assortment, essentially by determining what is value-creating variance. The main benefits are reduced costs, reduced lead time and increased ability to focus engineering resources on aspects providing value to the customer. A so-called visual approach has been utilised. By means of a Product Family Master Plan, the content and scope of the platform have been modelled and visualised. This has contributed to commitment on the management and operational levels in the whole chain, from customer to production and delivery.