Time Mastery Now

How to get to where you want to be from where you are now… Value stream mapping helps to show just where your business is now, and where you are headed.

Value stream mapping is a powerful tool that helps clarify the entire lean manufacturing process. It might appear complicated, but, as with other aspects of your program, when it is broken down into small steps, it is really quite simple.

Visualizing the entire processes and procedures throughout an entire company is quite powerful. Typically we just take things for granted ,and once they are visualized, the overall perspective can be dramatically different.

Is Value Stream Mapping For You?

A manufacturing facility is very complex. It is only by visualizing the entire picture, that you can understand the individual components, their relationships, the hidden waste and time-domain behavior.

Visualization helps produce a thorough understanding and causes major breakthroughs in productivity and performance. It helps It literally helps everyone be on the ’same page.’ When you are finished making the map, you have a great communication tool, but the most value can be found in the process of mapping. This is when consensus grows, paradigms shift, and insights develop.

While any business can reap huge rewards from value stream mapping, and lean manufacturing in general, certain types of business seem almost designed for lean. Plastic injection molding companies are a great example.

Mapping the Present State

A map of the present state demonstrates things as they currently exist. This will quickly reveal opportunities for improvement and change. Depending on your future plans and capabilities, you can decide on specific areas or the entire company.

Value stream mapping the Future State

Value stream mapping the future state is much more complicated than mapping the present state. This means that you need an in-depth understanding of the lean manufacturing process. When comparing the present with the future state there is always a lot of animated discussion, which is good

When employees see that their part plays a significant role in the overall operation of the company, the natural reaction is to be more motivated and involved. Employees will naturally have a voice in mapping out the future of the business, and take personal responsibility.

What are the benefits of value stream mapping?

This is a great question because, especially in the past, lean manufacturing programs tended to be like the ‘program du jour.’ One month it is Kanban, the next Kaizen, then it is JIT, etc. Many employees look at these programs skeptically, and this is understandable.

But, with the right motivation and implementation, lean manufacturing programs will help your company have a much better atmosphere, higher morale, and a better bottom line.

Value Stream Mapping Software

One of the most powerful tools used in lean manufacturing is Value Stream Mapping software. The software helps you to visualize the present and future state of your business, which is very powerful.

Value Stream Mapping Software and Flow Charts

Using flow charts to get started with value stream mapping software makes great sense for the novice. You gain insight and understanding to help with your consultant.

Value Stream Mapping And Six Sigma

If you have implemented Six Sigma in your organization, and you want to further reduce waste, you should consider using Value Stream Mapping. A good consultant can introduce you to this relatively new methodology.

Value Stream Analysis

Value stream analysis simplifies the process for you to successfully implement lean manufacturing and derive the associated benefits. You need to learn how to monitor your progress and make necessary adjustments to your lean manufacturing program.

If you want to learn how to use, I highly recommend the Lean Manufacturing web-based training course. You will get a complete understanding of all the components of the lean manufacturing process, including Value Stream Mapping.

Visit our website: http://WhatIsLeanManufacturing.com to learn how to be more profitable and make your company a more pleasant place to work.