Implementing Value Stream Mapping

By Author: Randy Hough
Total Articles: 9
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If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there! Value stream mapping helps reveal just where your organization is now, and where you are headed.

Value stream mapping is a wonderful program to help visualize 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 'seen', 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 company, that you can understand the individual components, their relationships, the hidden waste and time-domain behavior.

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

A business such as a plastic injection molding company, can greatly benefit from the lean manufacturing process, though it is also highly applicable to almost any business.

Value stream mapping the present state

A map of the present state demonstrates things as they currently exist. You will immediately see 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 present state is much less complicated than mapping the future state. This requires thorough understanding of the principles of lean manufacturing. .There is always a great deal of animated conversation when the present state is compared with the future state; and this has many benefits as well

A normal reaction for employees, when they see that they play an important role in the future of the company, is to feel motivated and involved. When they are involved in mapping out the future, they have a say in the matter and a stake in the future of the company.

How can value stream mapping benefit your company?

This is a great question because, especially in the past, lean manufacturing programs tended to be like the 'program du jour.' One day it is Kanban, the next Kaizen, the next month it is JIT, etc. It is understandable that many employees take these program with a dose of skepticism.

However, when lean manufacturing programs are properly implemented, the company atmosphere and morale is significantly improved. Not only that, but your profits will increase, due to the improvements.

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

Making use of 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

After 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 makes it easier for businesses 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.

To learn the best way to implement Value Stream Mapping, I highly recommend the Lean Manufacturing web-based training course. You will get a thorough understanding of all every facet of the lean manufacturing process, including Value Stream Mapping.

Our website: http://WhatIsLeanManufacturing.com is full of top quality resources to help you with making your business more efficient and profitable.
Randy Hough and Jon Arnett work together helping companies become more efficient and productive. Their website: http://whatisleanmanufacturing is full of great resources to help you become more profitable. Value stream mapping is just one of the tools.