Kurt Chen, a research analyst with Technology Evaluation Centers (TEC), defines lean-product development (LPD) simply: "LPD is focused on developing more products better and with use of fewer resources."

To be more specific, Chen says LPD encompasses productivity or waste reduction both on the part of product designers/ engineers and product stakeholders; process optimization, so that each party knows when and how to participate in order to maximize resource use; and product sustainability, which results in high acceptance from the market.

It is natural to assume that PLM encompasses these elements, but Chen warns that "PLM doesn't necessarily mean lean." Users looking to achieve LPD through PLM adoption, must be very careful in their choice of PLM solutions, he says. Chen outlines how companies can evaluate a PLM solution to be certain it supports lean product development.

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