| Originally introduced by Toyota, Value Stream Mapping | | | | Stream Mapping. The first step is to isolate the |
| (VSM) is the process of analyzing the flow of | | | | process that will be analyzed. As noted, this can |
| resources needed in order to ultimately deliver a good | | | | include the production or deliver of any product or |
| or service to a customer. Those resources can include | | | | service. The second step is to create a system map |
| raw materials, information, and even conceptual ideas. | | | | which illustrates every element that contributes to the |
| The overall goal of applying this system as an | | | | production or design flow. It should quantify the levels |
| analytical tool is to identify and eliminate waste in | | | | of materials, information, research, time requirements, |
| organizational processes. In doing so, businesses can | | | | communication needs, and any other input. |
| streamline their production and design flows which | | | | Next, the project team should review the process |
| ultimately leads to lower costs, increased efficiency, | | | | inputs in order to identify areas of waste. For example, |
| and an improved customer experience. | | | | if the current production flow requires fewer raw |
| In this article, we'll take a brief tour of Value Stream | | | | materials than are currently used in order to produce a |
| Mapping. I'll explain how the discipline is implemented | | | | given deliverable, the excess quantity must be |
| and describe the ways in which it is similar to - and | | | | identified. The fourth step requires the project team to |
| differs from - a Six Sigma initiative. | | | | design a new production flow that eliminates the |
| The Broad Purpose | | | | waste. A byproduct of this step is the construction of |
| Before we explore the basic steps of implementing | | | | a new system map. The final step in Value Stream |
| VSM, it's important to understand its broad purpose. | | | | Mapping is to implement the new map. |
| Every business process that results in a deliverable | | | | Value Stream Mapping Vs. Six Sigma |
| requires materials and information. For example, the | | | | The purpose of Value Stream Mapping is similar to |
| production of a car involves metal, plastic, glass, and | | | | that of a Six Sigma initiative. Both are implemented |
| other parts. It also involves information, research, and | | | | with the goal of improving efficiency and reducing - or |
| other data used throughout the platform. | | | | eliminating - waste. But, the manner in which they're |
| The goal of Value Stream Mapping is twofold: first, to | | | | implemented varies in a number of ways. |
| identify areas of a business's production or design flow | | | | First, a system map provides a broader overview than |
| in which waste exists and second, to eliminate - or, at | | | | a Six Sigma process map. Second, a Six Sigma |
| least reduce - that waste. Those flows might include | | | | project is normally focused on a singular process. It |
| the production of a single product, a group of products, | | | | can - and should - be expanded to include all systems |
| or the delivery of any type of service. In effect, the | | | | within an organization, but at its core, it still deals with |
| analysis can be applied to any system that contributes | | | | individual processes. Third, a VSM initiative is often |
| to the production of an organization's products or | | | | used with the ancillary goal of planning future projects. |
| services. | | | | The results of the initiative - specifically, identifying |
| Basic Steps Of Implementation | | | | wasted resources - can lead to the reallocation of |
| At its simplest, there are 5 steps to implementing Value | | | | those resources. |