OUR SPECIALTIES: VALUE STREAM MAPPING
Value Stream Mapping is a multi-function tool used by many companies to recognize opportunities by identifying where waste resides within their processes and subsequently develop an approach to combat the current conditions and creation of a future state with much more desirable performance measurements. This tool maps a process from suppliers to customers, including material and information flow.
Key Functions of VSM
Understanding the 7 major categories of waste, and how to uncover and combat them is the primary focus of the VSM.
Parts process matrix
Determining manufacturing product families is a key function in VSM. Many companies produce several hundred sellable products, however they have just a handful of product families. Product families are used in the development of cellular design.
Understanding TAKT
TAKT is also an important tool used for cell design. TAKT tells companies how often a finished product needs to be completed to meet customer demand. Understanding your TAKT will allow you to balance your production with your current sales rate.
Operator work balance
VSM enables companies to identify the imbalances and to see if processes are currently capable to produce a TAKT image. The tools of VSM show companies how to produce a TAKT image including how to balance operations allowing a smooth production flow.
Kanban
Kanban material replenishment systems are a key improvement method for reducing unneeded inventory, reducing scheduling complexities, combats part shortages and surpluses. Kanban can be used for manufactured and purchased material. For example, cells and departments may use Kanban as a means to schedule upstream operations based upon customer demand. In return, lead times to the customers are artificially reduced while improving cash flow.
Upon completing the future state Value Stream Mapping process, several improvement activities (to-do lists) will arise. Along with these activities, you will start to realize the benefits of implementing lean concepts. Our clients have realized incredible performance measurements in their businesses. The only questions management have to answer after the VSM are: what processes do we want to work under, and when can we get started?
>Click on a process below to read more about our individual specialties:
