Several companies have been inspired by Lean to achieve continuos improvement in their operations. Unfortunately, many manufacturing industries have struggled with the successful implementation of such improvement programs. LKAB has initiated the disturbance-free pellet production program to achieve stable processes by applying and improving LKAB´s decided standards. The purpose of this study is to investigate the desired effects of the process confirmation approach and to identify important sucess factors for the implementation of process confirmation at the organization NMF, LKAB. To achieve the desired effects with the method of process confirmation, the data collection in the study consisted of interviews, the results of which are presented in the results section. The interviews together with internal process confirmation documents have formed the basis for the analysis of the connection between the way of working and the Gemba Walk, with its theoretical background in the Lean philosophy. A SWOT analysis was made based on data from an interview with a participant from a similar improvement project and other material included in the study, to demonstrate the project´s prerequisites for a successful implementation of process confirmation. The study shows that the desired effects with process confirmation are clear with managers, but the approach in execution needs to be clarified, especially at a strategic level. The result from the study shows that there are good conditions for implementing the working method, where training in the execution and ensuring its compliance will be of great importance. / Flera företag har blivit inspirerade av Lean för att nå en kontinuerlig förbättring i sina verksamheter. Många tillverkningsindustrier har dessvärre kämpat med en lyckad implementering av sådana förbättringsprogram. LKAB har initierat programmet Störningsfri pelletsproduktion (SPP) för att uppnå stabila processer genom att tillämpa och förbättra LKAB:s beslutade standarder.  Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka önskade effekter av arbetssättet processbekräftelse samt att identifiera viktiga framgångsfaktorer för implementering av processbekräftelse på organisationen NMF, LKAB. Arbetet bygger på frågeställningarna (1) Vad är de önskade effekterna för chefer och medarbetare med arbetssättet processbekräftelse?, (2) Vad är likheter och skillnader mellan processbekräftelse och Gemba Walk? Och (3) Vad är viktiga framgångsfaktorer för implementering av processbekräftelse?  För att få fram de önskade effekterna med arbetssättet processbekräftelse har datainsamlingen i studien bestått av intervjuer där resultat från dessa presentera i resultatavsnittet. Intervjuerna tillsammans med interna dokument om processbekräftelse har legat till grund för analysen av sambandet mellan arbetssättet och Gemba Walk, med dess teoretiska bakgrund i Lean-filosofin. En SWOT-analys gjordes utifrån data från intervju med en deltagare från liknande förbättringsprojekt och övrigt material som ingår i studien, för att kunna påvisa projektets förutsättningar för en lyckad implementering av processbekräftelse.  Studien visar att önskade effekter med processbekräftelse är tydligt hos chefer men tillvägagångssätt i utförandet behöver förtydligas, särskilt på strategisk nivå. Resultatet från studien visar att det finns bra förutsättningar att implementera arbetssättet, där träning i utförandet och säkerställa dess efterlevnad kommer vara av stor betydelse.

El presente trabajo propone la aplicación de lineamientos y herramientas de la filosofía Lean Construction para lograr una adecuada planificación, ejecución y control de proyectos de construcción de edificaciones multifamiliares con el objetivo de minimizar y prevenir los diversos problemas en obra, que no sólo repercuten en costo, tiempo y calidad sino también en la imagen de la empresa. A través de estas herramientas se busca lograr disminuir los retrabajos, el incumplimiento de calidad, mejorar la rentabilidad del proyecto y disminuir la cantidad de observaciones de post venta para lograr la satisfacción de los clientes del caso de estudio Precursores. Finalmente se espera que con el presente trabajo se logre tener un mejor enfoque de gestión de proyectos multifamiliares y que sirva como punto de partida para que empresas constructoras y profesionales logren sus objetivos superando la expectativa de sus clientes / Abstract: This research work proposes the application of guidelines and tools of Lean Construction philosophy to achieve adequate planning, building and control of multi-family building projects with the objective of minimizing and preventing various problems at work, which only affect in cost, time and quality but also in the image of the company. Through these tools, we expect to reduce reworks, non-compliance quality, improve the profitability of the project and reduce the number of post-sale observations to achieve customer satisfaction in Precursores case study. Finally, it is expected that in this work a better approach to multi-family project management will be achieved and it will serve as a starting point for building companies and professionals to achieve their objectives and surpassing the expectations of their clients. / Tesis

<div>Reviewing the literature verifies that manufacturing industries fall short of the required sustainable criteria in the system design.</div><div>One of the leading reasons behind such a failure refers to the lack of an effective system design's knowledge toward the selected solutions by benchmarking.</div><div>The Collective System Design (CSD) approach provides a countermeasure for this shortcoming by starting the design approach with a collective agreement upon the external and internal customer needs and then choosing the solutions for the system design to achieve those needs. </div><div>The general requirements and solutions to a manufacturing system are covered in the Manufacturing System Design Decomposition (MSDD) in a linear and path-dependent fashion, which is a core derivative of the CSD.</div><div><br></div><div>The CSD application in industrial case studies has been provided in this thesis to elaborate on how the CSD approach assists industries to re-design their systems in a sustainable manner.</div><div>The segregation of the tools and objectives of the system re-design in a path-dependent fashion is guided by the design principles.</div><div>The case studies described how to achieve the external customer needs of product quality, quantity, variety, and on-time delivery with a collaborative work inside the plant. </div><div>This collaboration was built up by defining the customer-supplier connection inside the plant.</div><div>Cell re-design and balancing of operations with a well-defined standard work is also elaborated in this research to help produce what is needed to be shipped today with the least amount of waste in the system.</div><div>The after system redesign MSDD questionnaire analysis at these industries have shown that the industries successfully satisfied their system needs in a sustainable manner. </div><div><br></div><div>In those case studies, an internal customer need for a safe working environment was also brought to light and the CSD approach was introduced and applied to achieve the associated requirements of safety. </div><div>As the original MSDD lacked the requirements and solutions for the safety component, an updated version of the MSDD has been proposed to incorporate </div><div>the safety branch to the MSDD.</div><div>In addition, some enhancements to the current version of the MSDD have been made for a clearer and more thorough understanding of the system design.</div>

This thesis will provide knowledge on how to maintain a well developed flow of material while at the same time finding an optimal level of capacities for buffers. Simultaneously, aspects that allow for positive sustainability practices will be regarded.  Buffers have a considerable impact on the performance of a production system. However, the process of optimizing buffers remains a complex task, and is therefore in need of further research. Through a thorough data collection process, simulation modeling and Multi-objective Optimization, the authors will present evidence-based recommendations for managing buffers in an optimal manner. The case company currently has two buffer zones that are to be investigated if they could be improved by finding an optimal capacity level. The current flow of material consists of certain variations in the components that will be taken into consideration, some variations need further investigation in order to be representative and applicable to this study. By applying amongst other things, Lean concepts, Gemba walks, simulation modeling, interviews and knowledge within the specific field of buffer optimization, the authors were able to provide evidence-based recommendations. These recommendations both take into account optimal buffer capacities as well as brief sustainability and economical aspects. The authors have found that one buffer zone has the potential of being removed, which will contribute to positive environmental aspects. However, if this solution is to be applied, the need of planning and managing the distribution of components is required.  Another buffer zone has been investigated by applying the concept of Multi-objective Optimization, where the objectives are to maintain high throughput while minimizing the buffer capacities. The optimization procedure generated a decrease in buffer capacities in the zone by a total of 35%. This newly acquired space can either be used for other manufacturing processes, or be discontinued, which would decrease the energy consumption and positively affect the sustainability aspect.