Combining lean and agile characteristics: Creation of virtual groups by enhanced production flow analysis

The paper presents the background to why some manufacturing organisations require a combination of agile and lean characteristics in their manufacturing organisations. The paper also describes the development of the virtual group (VG) concept, which is the application of virtual cells to functional layouts. VGs enable the appropriate application of lean and agile concepts to different stages of production within a factory. The identification of VGs is achieved through the use of a methodology called enhanced production flow analysis (EPFA), which is described together with how it differs from Burbidge's PFA. Finally the results of two case studies are presented which tested the ability of EFPA to identify VGs, and assess its usability. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.