ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the links between innovation, development, and business strategy. Lean innovators make a great effort to evaluate the real long-term impact of what they choose to do: the real risks to be taken, the real costs to bear, and the true benefits that will result for their customers and ultimately their bottom line. Lean thinking has its roots in Lean Manufacturing, the production model now known all over the world that originated with the Toyota Production System. Innovation comes from the bottom, stemming necessarily from a passion for the product, from the desire to realize ideas and the desire to make "real" money. Toyota's rise to prominence clearly shows how the value of a company can grow significantly over time, with a clear long-term strategic vision that drives daily activities. The total time of most development projects ranges from eight months to two to three years, depending on the product complexity.
