3. Constraining: identifying developments

Performance chart

In this step, you formalize your field of constraints on the specifications to achieve more ambitious performance targets.

Talk to regulatory authorities, consumer associations and government bodies to understand developments in your type of product, and take the opportunity to lobby if you're ahead of the competition.

To do this:

• Keep the customer's expectations in mind: you're working for them, not to cut costs or improve productivity – - the opposite of the Lean approach. If you cut costs, it's to lower your selling price!

• Set unambitious objectives to ensure rapid implementation.

• Don't compromise on quality or on what you've already achieved from the customer's point of view....