Life cycle value in product development : a case study in the transportation industry

• Several factors prevent enterprises from having a holistic perspective during product development. Important aspects include increased product complexity and significant uncertainty with regard to technology. For products with a long life cycle this is extremely important since development and life cycle costs are high. The combination of complexity of system design and the limits of individual human comprehension typically make it difficult to envision a best value solution.In an attempt to encircle a more holistic perspective of value, the concept of Life Cycle Value has evolved within the Lean Aerospace Initiative, LAI. The implication of this is development of products incorporating life cycle and long-term focus including cost and performance and reliability factors. A similar perspective has evolved within the Lean Aircraft Research Program, LARP, in Sweden.This paper contributes a new study of how life cycle aspects are taken into consideration in a large corporation in the transportation industry. The purpose of the research was to examine relative contributions to product development and determine factors that significantly promote the ability to consider the life cycle perspective. The results will be discussed with respect to tools, methods, requirements, metrics, leadership and other organizational factors, innovation, and enterprise relationships.

Nyckelord

Life cycle

value

product development

transportation industry

TECHNOLOGY

TEKNIKVETENSKAP

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

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