Changes in the Planning and Control system during Implementation of Lean Production

Paper in proceeding, 2007

Many companies now rapidly try to adopt the philosophy and tools of lean production to improve their production performances. Many parts of the companies are affected by such a transition and it has a clear positive influence on the materials flow. The aim is to identify the required changes of the manufacturing planning and control system while moving towards lean. The paper first presents a theoretical background after which, empirical findings from two Swedish companies are presented. The study shows a number of examples where the planning system ought to be aligned to a transition in direction towards lean, but also that the present planning system in no way is hindering the start of a lean implementation