Value Stream Mapping Part 1-Lean Kaizen Consultancy & Training for Process Improvement and Quality Improvement

Value Stream Mapping Introduction (Part1)

Article about Value Stream Mapping by Graham Ross of Lean Kaizen Value Stream Mapping is a method to help us "see" the big picture
and helps us to avoid "tinkering" with our processes.

It helps us to identify where we are creating "value" and where we
are creating waste.

It is a great way to identify every process in the "flow".

Value Stream Mapping - What is it?

Values Stream Mapping is a method of depicting the flow of work through a process.

Mapping helps us to establish flow, eliminate waste and add value.

It is a relatively simple tool that is often ignored.

Often the attraction is to go straight to kaizen blitz activity in an area to get some results under our belts.

We think we already know the big picture but often it could be clearer if we did more groundwork on our
processes. i.e. Value Stream Mapping

Value Stream Mapping is a simple pencil and paper tool, but it needs people with lots of practical lean
implementation experience to use it properly and realise its benefits.

It is a method to visually represent every process in the information flow and forces us to ask a series of
relevant questions.

Creating this Map gives you a clear picture of the wastes that inhibit flow.

Why is VSM an essential tool?

It helps us visualise more than just a single process level. i.e. post opening

It helps us see waste, and provides a common language for talking about service processes.

It helps us tie together lots of lean ideas.

It can forms the basis of a Lean transformation plan.

It describes in detail how your process should operate at a high level.

Selecting a Service Family to VSM

A family is a group of services that pass through similar processing steps.

It is important to only Value Stream Map processes you intend to
change.

Often people seem to map processes to have something interesting to hang on their office wall.

Heaven forbid we may actually change something!

It is useful to only focus on one service family as it quickly becomes complicated if you try and
map all the services or products you provide.

The Role of the Value Stream Manager

Often no one is responsible for the end to end process in our organisation.

Processes are usually optimised from a functional perspective rather than a value stream perspective.

It is essential to identify someone in the organisation who can take full responsibility for the overall
Value Stream.

The person in this role should have the following credentials :-

	Reports Lean implementation to the Senior Management Team
	Is a line management person with authority to change things
	Is a practical hands on type person
	Leads and owns the creation of the current Value Stream Map
	Leads and owns the creation of the future state Value Stream Map
	Leads the creation of a Lean improvement Plan and keeps it updated
	Monitors all implementation and sees this as a top priority
	Walks and checks processes daily or weekly