When we add the lean principle of defining value through the eyes of the customer, it leads to a subtle but powerful extension. A lean company is driven by a single customer-focussed mission. The concurrent engineering definition now includes the entire supply chain, from suppliers, through to the internal new product development team, to customers. The entire chain collaborates to develop the new product. For example, customer input is mined from the customer service database.
Suppliers simultaneously develop component designs.
Early concepts are e-mailed as 3D CAD drawings to suppliers and customers for input. By taking an approach similar to value engineering. That means checking every option and feature for sufficient value. First, as in any lean application, you must define value. In this case, value is the successful design of a new lean product.