A new application of value-stream mapping in new drug development: a case study within Novartis

Mareike Heinzen; Samuel Mettler; Annina Coradi; Roman Boutellier

doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2014.10.009

A new application of value-stream mapping in new drug development: a case study within Novartis

Drug Discov Today. 2015 Mar;20(3):301-5. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.10.009. Epub 2014 Oct 30.

Authors

Mareike Heinzen¹, Samuel Mettler², Annina Coradi³, Roman Boutellier⁴

Affiliations

¹ ETH Zürich, Scheuchzerstrasse 7, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland. Electronic address: mheinzen@ethz.ch.
² ETH Zürich, Schmelzbergstrasse 7, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
³ ETH Zürich, Scheuchzerstrasse 7, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
⁴ ETH Zürich, Rämistrasse 101, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland.

PMID: 25448754
DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2014.10.009

Abstract

In this case study, we evaluated the effect of colocation on the drug development process using value-stream mapping (VSM) on the Novartis Campus in Basel, Switzerland. We compared a colocated team with a control group that was not colocated. The data showed that colocation was not associated with increased process speed in terms of lead lines. However, the colocated team communicated more and reported beneficial experiences, such as faster working processes or improved mutual understanding. VSM workshops revealed not only performance indicators about colocation, but also enhanced communication and cooperation through the evolving discussion.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Biomedical Research
Communication
Cooperative Behavior
Drug Discovery / organization & administration*
Drug Industry / organization & administration*
Efficiency, Organizational*
Humans
Workplace