Title: Considering BPR and CE for faster product delivery: a case study in manufacturing firms

Authors: Alemu Moges Belay; Petri Helo; Josu Takala; Torgeir Welo

Addresses: Department of Production Technology, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, FI-65101, Vaasa, Finland; Department of Design Engineering and Materials, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Richard Birkelands vei 2b, P.O. Box 7491, Trondheim, Norway ' Department of Production Technology, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, FI-65101, Vaasa, Finland ' Department of Production Technology, University of Vaasa, P.O. Box 700, FI-65101, Vaasa, Finland ' Department of Design Engineering and Materials, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Richard Birkelands vei 2b, P.O. Box 7491, Trondheim, Norway

Abstract: This paper investigates the effects of combining business process reengineering (BPR) and concurrent engineering (CE) on companies' capability to deliver products faster to the customers. Two medium-sized companies are considered to use primary data; previous performance records and on-site interviews. The study uses tools for business process improvement, ternary plot and statistical process control tools. The study showed that 50% to 80% of the products were not delivered to customers on schedule, mainly due to the case companies who were using sequential product development methods. By using cross-functional teams, and combining BPR and CE, the work-flow steps and product development times are reduced significantly. A conceptual model is proposed to show the benefits of combining the aforementioned methodology, which is in line with contingency theory.

Keywords: business process reengineering; BPR; concurrent engineering; simultaneous engineering; process mapping; ternary plot; gage measurement system capability; decision making; product delivery; case study; manufacturing industry; statistical process control; SPC; product development; cross-functional teams; conceptual modelling; contingency theory.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPQM.2014.060422

International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management, 2014 Vol.13 No.3, pp.349 - 375

Published online: 17 May 2014 *

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