Abstract model of LPD: A critical review of the Lean Product Development concept

Many companies that have been working success- fully with Lean for some years are now implementing Lean Product Development, LPD. Even though much has been written about the LPD concept, a main body of the LPD literature is promoting the concept without objections. Accordingly, criticism towards LPD tends to be undividedly negative to the concept. The contribution of the present study is twofold. First, it summarizes previous research about the LPD concept in a model in accordance with Enterprise Architecture terminology. This section also includes a structured breakdown of tools mentioned in LPD literature. Second, the paper discusses both advantages and disadvantages with the concept, aiming to present an unfeigned picture of LPD, using examples from Swedish industries. Thereby, the study clarifies which expectations that a company starting to implement LPD reasonably can have on the concept.