Tesco Lean Administration Project

Introduction:

During the final stages of the SCDP programme, Mark Francis (MF) worked with Tesco to improve the New Product Introduction (NPI) component of their wider New Product Development (NPD) process. Following the completion of SCDP, Tesco funded a one year applied research project to improve the lead-time performance of their wider (private-label) NPD process. This project was labelled ‘Lean Administration Project’ as it was envisaged that NPD is merely one of a number of largely administrative processes. The insight gained therefore offered the potential to be generalised to this wider context. LAP subsequently became an important component of the fieldwork for Mark Francis’ PhD thesis.

Methods & Activities

MF was embedded at Tesco’s headquarters at Cheshunt for the year. Whilst there he undertook systematic data collection within the Tesco category teams (notably Chilled Ready Meals), Trading Law Department and Marketing Department using a variety of observation and interviewing techniques. Likewise, within a number of Tesco’s private-label suppliers, reprographic agencies and artwork design firms. LAP predated the publication of Rother & Shook’s (1998) Learning to See mapping technique. However, he used a variety of embryonic process and supply chain mapping techniques; supplemented by extensive company document analysis.

Publications

Conference Papers

FRANCIS, M. (2004).  Stage model research in the UK fast moving consumer goods industry, Proceedings of the 14th World Food and Agribusiness Symposium, Montreux, Switzerland, June 12-13.

FRANCIS, M. (2003). Understanding lower innovation product development processes in the UK fast moving consumer goods sector: A stage model, Proceedings of the 8^th International Symposium on Logistics, Seville, July 6-8, pp.85-91, ISBN 0-85358-121-5.

FRANCIS, M. (1999).  Efficient Product Introduction (EPI):  The most effective paradigm for grocery industry product development?, Proceedings of the 3^rd Logistics Research Network Conference, Morpeth, Northumberland, UK, September 8-9.

FRANCIS, M. & SIMONS, D.W. (1999).  You get what you measure:  performance measurement as a strategic change enabler in a process-oriented product development environment, Proceedings of the EurOMA – VI International Annual Conference, Venice, Italy, June 7-8, pp.757-763, ISBN 88-86281-39-0.

FRANCIS, M. (1998).  Lean information and new product introductions:  An FMCG case study, Proceedings of the 8^th International IPSERA Conference, Belfast & Dublin, Ireland, March 28-31, pp. 311-320.

FRANCIS, M. (1997).  The next lean dimension: Lean information and its role in supply chain management, Proceedings of the Logistics Research Network Conference, The Institute of Logistics, Corby, UK, pp.66-84, ISBN 1-870214-40-4.

Books/ Chapters:

FRANCIS, M. (2008).  Stage Model Research in the UK Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry, In P. Rao and R.S. Wawge (Eds), Managing 4Ps of FMCG Marketing: An Introduction, The ICFAI University Press, Hyderabad, pp. 52-75, ISBN 81-314-1180-4.

FRANCIS, M. (2007).  Lean Information and New Product Information: An FMCG Case Study, In: E. Mrudula (Ed.), Lean Management: Concepts and Industry Perspectives, The ICFAI University Press, Hyderabad, pp.167-180, ISBN 81-314-0738-1.

FRANCIS, M. (2006).  Lean Information and New Product Introduction: An FMCG Case Study, In: N.M. Shanthi (Ed.), Product Launch Management: Concepts and Cases, The ICFAI University Press, Hyderabad, pp. 163-176.

FRANCIS, M. (2004).  New Product Development and IT in Food Supply Chain Management: The Case of Tesco, In:  Bourlakis, M. and Weightman, P. (Eds), Food Supply Chain Management, Blackwell, London, pp. 153-164,  ISBN 1-4051-0168-7.

FRANCIS, M. (2000).  Mapping Information Flows, In: Hines, P., Lamming, R., Jones, D., Cousins, P. and Rich, N. (Eds.), Value Stream Management: Strategy and Excellence in the Supply Chain, pp.53-68, ISBN 0 273 64202 2.

HINES, P., ESAIN, A., FRANCIS, M. and JONES, O. (2000).  Managing New Product Introduction and New Product Development, In: Hines, P., Lamming, R., Jones, D., Cousins, P. and Rich, N. (Eds.), Value Stream Management: Strategy and Excellence in the Supply Chain, pp.401-417, ISBN 0 273 64202 2

Other Official Outputs (Reports, Case Studies, Practitioner Publications etc):

 FRANCIS, M. (2002). Understanding Lower Innovation Product Development Processes in the UK Fast Moving Consumer Goods Sector, PhD Thesis, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff. July.