Int. J. Productivity and Quality Management, Vol. 7, No. 4, 2011 501
Copyright © 2011 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.
QFD integrated value stream mapping: an enabler of
lean manufacturing
R. Mohanraj* and M. Sakthivel
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Anna University of Technology,
Coimbatore 641047,
Tamil Nadu,
India
E-mail: mohanraj_psg04@yahoo.com
E-mail: sakthi_vel_m@yahoo.com
*Corresponding author
S. Vinodh
Department of Production Engineering,
National Institute of Technology,
Tiruchirappalli 620015,
Tamil Nadu,
India
E-mail: vinodh_sekar82@yahoo.com
Abstract: Lean manufacturing is a manufacturing philosophy which focuses on
elimination of wastes and enables process streamlining. Value stream mapping
(VSM) is a lean manufacturing technique that is capable of tracking wastes,
thereby streamlining the processes. However, the framework of VSM does not
enable the systematic identification of wastes as well as the techniques to
eliminate them. In this context, this paper presents a study in which quality
function deployment (QFD) technique has been used for scientific prioritisation
of wastes and techniques for waste elimination. This paper is exemplified with
a case study conducted in an Indian pump manufacturing organisation.
Keywords: lean manufacturing; value stream mapping; quality function
deployment; waste elimination.
Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Mohanraj, R.,
Sakthivel, M. and Vinodh, S. (2011) ‘QFD integrated value stream mapping: an
enabler of lean manufacturing’, Int. J. Productivity and Quality Management,
Vol. 7, No. 4, pp.501–522.
Biographical notes: R. Mohanraj is a Research Scholar in Mechanical
Engineering Department at Anna University of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil
Nadu. He holds Master’s degree in Production Engineering and Bachelor’s
degree in Mechanical Engineering. His research interests include lean
manufacturing and total quality management.
M. Sakthivel is an Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering Department
at Anna University of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. He holds PhD in
Mechanical Engineering, Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and