Developing Products Customers Love: Discussing Lean Product and Process Development with Two Retired Honda Leaders

LEI chats with Frank Paluch, Retired President of Honda R&D Americas, and Lara Harrington, Retired Honda Chief Engineer. Frank and Lara share how Honda utilized Lean Product and Process Development principles to launch successful vehicles like the Honda Passport. 

During the conversation we dive into the following: 

• Understanding Customer Value – As Chief Engineer of the Honda Passport Lara explains how she used rapid prototyping and gathered consumer feedback early in the development process to determine a vehicle design that would appeal to customers and grow Honda’s market share.
• The Chief Engineer – Frank and Lara reflect on the chief engineer’s role, what makes a great chief engineer, and the matrix organization in which they work.
• People Development – Comparing hiring in engineering talent versus developing it internally.
• Future of the Auto Industry – Discussing the industry push toward EVs and contrasting Tesla’s approach to development to Toyota’s. 

Special note: Lara and Frank will lead a keynote about Lean Product and Process Development at the Lean Summit in March 2024. To learn more and register, click here.