Conceptual Framework for Lean Manufacturing Implementation in SMEs with PDCA Approach

Implementation of lean manufacturing tools and practices in any type of organizations can bring many benefits, such as reducing waste and creating the value-added products to customers. There are a lot of frameworks have been developed in different industry worldwide, but still many companies find it is difficult to adopt the lean implementation especially for small and medium enterprises, SMEs. One of the critical challengers is due to lack of understanding of the real lean concept and inadequate of effective framework in SMEs. Thus, there is a strong need to develop a suitable framework specifically construct to suit SME’s feature characteristic in order to SMEs can maximize the gain of lean benefits. Various main existing lean implementation frameworks and the common challenges faced during their lean journey are discussed. This present paper aims at developing an effective conceptual lean manufacturing framework that serves as a guideline to implement lean manufacturing in the industry and in attempt to overcome some of the limitations gap in main existing framework. It starts with the review of the main existing framework and highlighting the key elements adopt in SMEs. The proposed conceptual framework is constructed with detailed of four implementation phases in sequential process and included the 16 key components of step by step guidance flow. The PDCA cycles (Plan-Do-Check-Act) approach has been integrated into these difference four phases of lean manufacturing implementation with the adoption of feasibility lean practices to suit for SME’s environment. This is to provide a simple and comprehensive framework for ease the SMEs lean practitioner to follow it accordingly in order to improve the organization’s performance. However, the proposed framework is at conceptual stage, which it requires further study of practically implementation to be validated by future researches.