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

Paper i 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