Value Stream Mapping
The value stream mapping is an efficient technique. For any organization it is crucial to understand the sequence of activities that is used to produce a product. This technique identifies the flow of materials and information. During the review process, value stream maps provide an important tool and it also reveals several opportunities to improve production flow, reduce time, save time and reduce inventory. It was given by Ohno and Shingo. The goal of this method is to identify and eliminate the waste in the process. In any manufacturing system it is important to decrease waste because it is an activity that does not add any kind of value to the final product.
VSM is basically a communication tool that can also be used as a strategic planning tool or a change management tool. It helps the engineers, schedulers and management to identify the waste. There are various value stream mapping symbols and icons but they are not standardized and there are many variations. The objective of VSM is to create a representation of how designs and customer needs flow through the value stream and how the output or customer’s end product is generated from input or raw materials. This technique is best applied to the processes that are standardized. Any organization that has to deliver a standard set of products will benefit from applying this technique.
It is difficult to use this method where the work processes change continuously as in such organizations the flow of information may change wit each customer. To use the tool there are seven steps:
a) Identification of the product or service to map
b) Draw the value stream map with the help of icons and symbols
c) Assess the current value stream
d) Creation of the future state of the value stream map
e) A plan to meet the desired state
f) Implement the plan
g) Reviewing the results and then repeat this process
Written by: Matt
We also suggest this relevant article if you have time: Management by Objectives by Peter Drucker
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Tagged as artic, change management tool, current value, customer needs, future state, manufacturing system, ohno, production flow, raw materials, schedulers, seven steps, strategic planning, value stream mapping, value stream maps, variations, work processes + Categorized as Business, Economy articles, Ladership & Management