Feature Development Process Harmonization with Lean Development: a Value Stream Analysis at Volvo Group Trucks Technology

This research was carried out at Volvo Group Trucks Technology (GTT) in order to map the Feature Development Process which is a central process in the product development at Volvo GTT. The aim was to identify conflicts and contradictions between the Feature Development Process and related processes at Volvo GTT to suggest solutions of those with Lean as guiding principle. The research was carried out by Karin Dahr and Marie Eliasson during the spring of 2012. The thesis included activities as interviews and workshops as well as a survey involving the Feature Leaders at all Volvo GTTs sites Gothenburg, Lyon, Ageo, and Greensborg. The result showed that there are several areas in the Feature Leaders work that can be improved. The need for an updated Feature Development Process was considered and proposed changes were provided by this thesis.