Course syllabus - Lean Production

Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide insight into the demands and challenges posed by competitive Lean production in industrial production systems as well as knowledge and skills in its concepts, methods and techniques.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student shall be able to: 
1. describe competitive and sustainable lean production and its basic philosophy, strategies and principles  
2. plan and implement an improvement project by value-flow analysis of a production segment in an industrial activity  
3. describe and compare various options for enhancing production systems
4. propose enhancements of a production system section through the selection and application of methods and tools for continuous improvement  
5. describe the possibilities and requirements for the use of digital tools within Lean production  
6. in group work to plan, implement and report a project assignment in writing as well as verbally and to provide feedback on such work

Course content

- Competitive and sustainable production systems  
- Customer value versus waste  
- Basic philosophy, strategies and principles for flexible and stable lean production  
- Tools and methods for improvement and development of production systems  
- Mapping, analysis and improvement through value flow analysis  
- Lean management and organization, business process development  
- Maintenance and equipment efficiency

Specific requirements

30 credits in engineering/technology and at least 2 years of work experience in full-time from relevant area within industry.

Examination

Written assignment 1 (INL1), 2 credits, examines the learning outcomes 1, 3 and 5, marks Fail (U) or Pass (G) 
Written assignment 2 (INL2), 3 credits, examines the learning outcomes 2, 4 and 6, marks Fail (U), 3, 4 or 5

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Grading scale: 5, 4, 3

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course overlaps 5 credits with eac of the courses PPU406 Competitive production systems, PPU414 Competitive production systems, and PPU428 Competitive production systems, PPU216 Lean Production and PPU449 Lean Production.