This dissertation is focused on a research of using methods of Lean Production in working environment of selected companies in the Czech Republic. In the introduction the author mentioned theoretic facts about Lean Production, which is originally from Japan. The rest of dissertation also included characteristics of selected companies and description of situations in companies before and after using Lean Production methods. At the end of each part we can find conclusion and suggestion of specific new steps for these companies. A company, called Linde Pohony s.r.o. Český Krumlov, have been using these methods: TPM, 5S and visual management. In a company Rohde & Schwarz, which is located in Vimperk, have been using the methods of Lean Production. : Kanban and also visual management. And a company ČSAT a.s. Praha have been testing methods of Lean Production: MUDA, 5S, Kaizen with a diagram of Ishikawa. In conclusion of the dissertation assumptions were evaluated. The overall summary of exercising Lean Production in companies - Linde Pohony s.r.o. Český Krumlov, ČSAT a.s. Praha a Rhode & Schwarz - Vimperk, were mentioned as well. Outcomes of the dissertation can be used for companies, which had been analyzing or for other companies with similar specializations. The dissertation provides the analysis of utilization selected Japanese principles of Lean Production in Czech companies.

In following a lean transformation specifically for discrete manufacturing, how and why will the organisational structure be affected? How will the employees deal with this profound change? Lean theory and literature propose that organisations should be restructured according to the value stream of the organisation; what does this imply and how can it be accomplished? The purpose of this study was to determine, from a new perspective, guidelines and theory that could indicate how and why organisational structures and behaviours might change with lean transformation. Two discrete manufacturing organisations in South Africa were purposively sampled for this purpose. A conceptual framework was used at the outset that indicated constructs for the independent lean variables and the dependent organisational structure and behaviour variables. Using a mixed methodology case study and quantitative multiple linear regression approach, hypotheses and propositions for the research were developed. Multiple linear regression was used to test the hypotheses, and case study methodology was applied to analyse and test the qualitative data. Findings confirmed the hypotheses and propositions that a flat structure consisting of business units that support manufacturing cells achieves effective lean transformations in discrete manufacturing organisations. The research revealed the components of an effective lean structure as open constructive leadership, an effective lean champions unit and business units that support linked manufacturing cells. These are led by cell leaders who cultivate supportive behaviours through cross-functional teamwork and through self-directed work teams who run manufacturing cells or flow support functions. / Business Management / D.B.L.

Abstract Management of product development activities has become increasingly important, as cycle times of product development have shortened. Smaller product development projects are often conducted rapidly at companies based on customer or sales requests to answer the need for faster cycle times. However, this is often done without fully realizing the impact of the new projects on the larger project portfolio or organizational effectiveness. The main objective of this dissertation is to increase knowledge on the use of agile development methods in small, rapid product development projects, and on the implementation of a rapid product development model. The dissertation is formulated as a qualitative, inductive study based on the research results of four original publications and a summary combining the results. The results of the dissertation show that it is beneficial to separate a rapid product development process for certain types of customer- or sales-initiated projects. A new rapid development model with principles and guidelines is introduced to help organizations facilitate this separation. The implementation of the model can be supported with agile development practices, of which self-managing teams are studied in more detail. There is significant overlap between case companies’ perceived success factors for rapid development and self-management. The results imply that a functional rapid development model can be utilized as a strategic asset at companies. The results also provide empirical evidence that agile development practices can be utilized in product development. In addition to providing empirical evidence in scientific discussion about combining product development and agile software development practices, the results can be used to create better definitions of product development processes in general. / Tiivistelmä Tuotekehityksen johtamisesta ja hallinnasta on tullut entistä haastavampaa ja tärkeämpää, kun tuotekehitysprojektien läpimenoajat ovat lyhentyneet. Yritykset tekevät kasvamassa määrin lyhyitä tuotekehitysprojekteja asiakaspyyntöjen tai myynnin aloitteesta vastatakseen markkinoiden vaatimuksiin nopeasta kehityksestä. Tällaisten nopeiden tuotekehitysprojektien käynnistäminen ja toteutus tehdään usein ymmärtämättä yksittäisen projektin vaikutusta koko projektiportfolioon tai organisaation tehokkuuteen. Tämän väitöskirjan päätavoitteena on tutkia ohjelmistokehityksestä tunnettujen ketterien kehitysmenetelmien käyttöä nopeissa tuotekehitysprojekteissa ja uudenlaisen nopean tuotekehityksen mallin käyttöönotossa. Tutkimus on tehty laadullisena ja induktiivisena tutkimuksena perustuen neljään itsenäiseen tutkimusartikkeliin ja näiden tulokset kokoavaan kokoelmaosaan. Tutkimus osoittaa, että yrityksille on hyödyllistä erottaa erillinen prosessi tietyntyyppisille nopeille tuotekehitysprojekteille. Tutkimuksen tuloksena esitellään malli, joka tukee tätä erottamista periaatteiden ja ohjeiden avulla. Tätä mallia pystytään tukemaan ketterillä kehitysmenetelmillä, joihin liittyen on erityisesti tutkittu itseohjautuvia kehitystiimejä. Case-yritysten havainnoimilla nopean tuotekehityksen menestystekijöillä ja itseohjautuvien tiimien ominaisuuksilla on havaittavissa suurta päällekkäisyyttä. Tulokset osoittavat, että hyvin käytetty ja määritetty nopean tuotekehityksen malli voi olla strateginen kilpailuetu yrityksille. Tulokset lisäävät myös empiiristä tietoa ketterien menetelmien käytöstä tuotekehityksessä ja hyödyntävät siten ajankohtaista tieteellistä keskustelua. Tuloksia voidaan myös hyödyntää muiden tuotekehitysprosessien käyttötarkoituksen tarkempaan määrittämiseen.

In order to survive in highly competitive local and global markets, it is vital to satisfy the changing demand of the customers. Thus, the importance of competitive factors arises. The companies should provide sufficient amount of products or services on time with the most advantageous prices and best possible quality. Additionally, flexibility is crucial to deal with the change in demand. Therefore, a flexible production system for manufacturers is vastly required. The aim of this Master Thesis is to provide a framework for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that seek ISO 9001 and 14001 Certifications by proposing a Lean Production System. As a case study, the Swedish company CombiQ AB is investigated regarding its current situation with short and long term goals. Thereby, this framework includes the design of a suitable production system that meets CombiQ’s needs and additionally to that, instructs the company how to build up a Lean Production System. In parallel with ISO Certification requirements, two main Lean Techniques (5S and Kaizen) are explained and exemplified throughout the project. These techniques are straightly linked with the requirements of Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001) and Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001). As for empirical data, this project is constructed by six interviews within the company and one additional interview with an ISO auditor. As a complement, operational and managerial processes are observed. Additionally, relevant literature is examined, presented and aligned with empirical findings in order to cover the essential concepts of this thesis. The final proposal is the usage of lean thinking as a core philosophy guided by the lean principles and techniques with the ISO requirements in parallel, which are the selected concepts to design a desired production system. Once the design is proposed; as further steps, the company would be able to continue the development process by implementing and starting-up the production. Last but not least; as the major outcome of this Lean Production System framework, the ISO certifications would be accomplished with a higher customer satisfaction and competitiveness.

Abstract Software engineering is advancing according to market needs. Consequently, software development methods that initially caused controversies such as Agile, and more recently Lean, are increasingly being adopted by the software industry. Particularly, Lean Software Development, which was initially regarded as one of the Agile methods, is acquiring an identity of its own as a means to scale Agile. However, Lean thinking is still open to interpretation in the domain of software development, which differs fundamentally from the manufacturing domain where Lean originally emerged. Specific issues such as the essence of Lean Software Development, the compatibility of Lean and Agile and the best combination of them are not properly understood. This dissertation addresses Lean thinking and its combination with Agile in the field of software development, by providing empirical evidence on how software-intensive organisations use them in practice. The research was performed in four phases. First, the relevant literature was analysed to identify research opportunities. Second, a survey strategy was used to investigate status and trends in the adoption of Agile and Lean. The third phase explored in detail how Agile and Lean are combined in practice, by conducting case studies on two large-scale, industry-leading companies that were transforming their processes from Agile Software Development into Lean Software Development. Finally, in the fourth phase, the results of the previous research phases were synthetized to draw conclusions and outline implications. The results of the study confirmed the interest of practitioners in using a combination of Agile and Lean. Unlike in manufacturing, the borders of Agile and Lean are not clearly defined in the software domain. The results provided evidence of numerous compatibilities between Agile and Lean in software development. Generally, the use of Agile methods at a prescriptive level is guided by Lean principles. However, Lean thinking also brings new practical elements to software development processes, such as Kanban, work-in-progress limits, a ‘pull’ and ‘less waste’-oriented culture and an extended emphasis on transparency and collaborative development. The results showed the fundamental importance of practices that enable quick feedback, fast learning and adaptation. / Tiivistelmä Ohjelmistotuotanto kehittyy markkinoiden tarpeiden mukaisesti. Aiemmin kiisteltyjä ketteriä menetelmiä, ja nykyään myös Lean-menetelmiä sovelletaan yhä useammin ohjelmistoteollisuudessa. Lean-menetelmiin perustuva Lean-ohjelmistokehitys erottuu selkeämmin välineenä laajentaa ketterien menetelmien käyttöä. Lean on yhä monitulkintainen ohjelmistotuotannossa, joka poikkeaa teollisuustuotannosta, josta Lean on peräisin. Lean-ohjelmistokehitystä, Lean- ja ketterien menetelmien yhteensopivuutta ja niiden parasta yhdistelmää ei vielä ymmärretä riittävän hyvin. Tämä väitöskirja käsittelee Lean-menetelmien yhdistämistä ketteriin menetelmiin ohjelmistotuotannossa. Tutkimus esittää kokemusperäistä tietoa, kuinka näitä menetelmiä käytetään ohjelmisto-alan organisaatioissa. Tutkimus oli nelivaiheinen. Aluksi tutkimusmahdollisuudet kartoitettiin tutkimalla aiheeseen liittyvää kirjallisuutta. Seuraavaksi tutkittiin kyselytutkimuksen avulla Lean- ja ketterien menetelmien käyttämisen nykytilaa ja kehitystä. Kolmannessa vaiheessa tapaustutkimuksilla selvitettiin Lean- ja ketterien menetelmien yhdistämistä käytännössä. Tapaustutkimuksia tehtiin kahdessa suuressa yrityksessä, jotka olivat muuttamassa prosessejaan ketteristä menetelmistä kohti Lean-ohjelmistokehitystä. Lopuksi aiemmat tutkimusvaiheet yhdistettiin johtopäätöksiä ja vaikutusten hahmottamista varten. Tutkimuksen tulokset vahvistavat Lean- ja ketterien menetelmien yhdistämisen kiinnostavan ohjelmistotuotannonharjoittajia. Lean- ja ketterien menetelmien rajat eivät ole selkeästi määriteltyjä ohjelmistotuotannossa. Tulokset tukevat käsitystä Lean- ja ketterien menetelmien yhteensopivuudesta. Lean ohjaa yleisellä tasolla ketterien menetelmien käyttöä. Lean tuo kuitenkin myös uusia elementtejä ohjelmistotuotantoon, kuten Kanban-menetelmän, keskeneräisen työn rajoittamisen, kysyntään perustuvan ’pull’-menetelmän ja turhan työn vähentämistä tavoittelevan ’less-waste’-työkulttuurin. Lean-ajattelu myös lisää painotusta läpinäkyvyyteen ja yhteistyöhön.