Business process redesign based on "one piece flow": concept, methodology and application

Business process redesign (BPR) is not old-fashioned in this changing business environment. This paper mainly explores how to link BPR with "one piece flow" production pattern, which is originated from just-in-time (JIT), in order to gain a better performance when global manufacturing becomes frequent. After briefly introducing BPR concept and the characteristics of "one piece flow" production pattern, it discusses the reasons of combining them, the possibilities and benefits of doing so. Then, methodology of the combination is described. On the base of BPR methodologies\´ literature review, a framework of business process redesign based on "one piece flow" is brought forward. And finally, a case study is presented. It is about an elevator manufacturer, which began to carry out "one piece flow" production pattern in 2002. As an example, it suggests how its production planning process is redesigned under the framework.