The Secrets to Creating an Effective VSMNovember 2011

The Secrets to Creating an Effective Value Stream Map

Presented by

For Internal Use Only 2

Jeff HajekGotta Go Lean

Tim McMahonA Lean Journey

Introduction

For Internal Use Only

Product/Service

“Family”

plan and

implementation

current state

drawing

future state

drawing

Define a value stream

All actions (both value added and non value added) required to

bring a specific product or service from raw material through to the

customer.

For Internal Use Only

Based on Customer Requirements

• You must understand what

the customer values.

• “Value” is what the customer

is paying for.

• Use that as your starting

point.

• Align your business to your

customer’s demands.

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Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Handshake

_(Workshop_Cologne_%2706).jpeg

Capture The Process As It Is

• Be sure you map the process

as it happens now, not the

way it used to work—or how

you wish it worked!

• Go to the source to collect

actual information.

• Don’t ignore opportunities

for improvement but don’t

jump ahead either.

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Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Inside_the_Bender_Factory_-

_geograph.org.uk_-_1547827.jpg

Assign A Value Stream Map Manager

• Assign a value stream map

manager to lead the mapping

effort.

• Input from team members and

stakeholders is important, but

appoint (or elect) one team

member to own the entire value

stream map.

• This ensures that the manager

understands the material and

information flows.

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Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gr

een_River_aerial.jpg

Walk The Process

• Make sure your map reflects

the reality of the process—

verifying this by following

the process from start to

finish can reveal crucial

details you might have

missed.

• The process isn’t always

how we perceive it.

• Walk the process with an eye

for improvement.

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mmons/c/c6/Mag_glass_request.jpg

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:F

lax_Bourton_footprints.jpg

One Small Step At A Time

• Focus on one small step at a

time.

• Make sure you capture each

step accurately.

• For example, don’t trust the

clock on the wall to measure

cycle times—use a stopwatch.

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Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Da

videSapienza_pen%26paper.jpg

Identify Critical Paths And Bottlenecks

• What prevents flow along the

value stream?

• Your map may reveal a number

of potential areas for

improvement.

• Which ones will make the

biggest difference in meeting

customer requirements?

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Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wooden_hourglass_2.jpg

Create A Future State Map

• Your current-state map

suggests where to focus

your efforts.

• Based on that you can draft

a map that shows how

value will flow through an

improved process.

• Design for flow of material

and information.

For Internal Use Only 11

Limit The Improvement Plan

• Limit the improvement plan to

achieve the future state to a

one-page document, if possible.

• List the actions that need to

happen to improve the process.

• Use simple, clearly-defined

steps.

• A3 format can be helpful.

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A free copy of this A3 template is available at

http://www.velaction.com/a3-template/

Focus On Individual Areas

• To implement the improvement

plan quickly, focus on

individual areas.

• Take a step-by-step approach

to putting your plan in action.

• Update your future state map

as you implement each step.

• Then repeat.

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Image courtesy of www.Velaction.com

Conclusion

1. Define a value stream.

2. Base the value stream map process on customer requirements.

3. Capture the process as it operates now, not how it’s supposed to

operate.

4. Assign a value stream map manager to lead the mapping effort.

5. Walk through the process to ensure that the flow of materials and

information is accurate.

6. Focus on one small step at a time.

7. Identify critical paths and bottlenecks.

8. Create a future state map from the current state map.

9. Limit the improvement plan to achieve the future state to a one-page

document, if possible.

10. To implement the improvement plan quickly, focus on individual

areas.

14For Internal Use Only

Follow-up Information

www.facebook.com/ALeanJourney

@TimALeanJourney

A Lean Journey LinkedIn

Group

• http://www.GottaGoLean.com

• Many new videos posted at

http://www.youtube.com/user/

VelactionVideos

http://www.ALeanJourney.com

Questions

Jeff Hajek

Info@Velaction.com

www.GottaGoLean.com

1.800.670.5805

Tim McMahon

http://linkedin.com/in/timothyfmcmahon

860-HOW-LEAN (469-5326)

www.ALeanJourney.com

Copyright Terms

• You may modify this presentation for use within your

own organization.

• You may distribute this presentation within your own

organization.

• You may not distribute this presentation, its derivative

works, or images contained within it outside of your own

organization.

For Internal Use Only