Value Stream Mapping Shows The Way

If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there! Value stream mapping helps you to see just where your company is and where you are headed.

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

Click here to get started with value stream mapping...

It is quite powerful to visualize the processes and procedures within a company. Oftentimes we just take things for granted, and once they are 'seen' they take on a different perspective.

Why should you use Value Stream Mapping?

A manufacturing facility is very complex. It is only when you can visualize 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 everyone be 'on the same page,' literally. The finished product, the map, is a great communication tool, yet the greatest value lies 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.

Mapping the Present State

A map of the present state shows things as they presently exist. This will quickly reveal opportunities for change and the need for improvement. This can be done in specific areas or in the entire organization, depending on your needs and goals.

Mapping the Future State

Value stream mapping the future state is much more complicated than mapping the present state. This requires an in-depth understanding of the principles of lean manufacturing. 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. 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.

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 was Kanban, the next Kaizen, the next month it was 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 ability to visualize the current and future state of you company is a powerful thing indeed.
• Value Stream Mapping Software and Flow Charts 
  
  Using flow charts to get started with value stream mapping software makes great sense for the beginner. 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. Here we introduce you to this relatively new methodology.
• Define Value Stream Mapping 
• Value Stream Analysis 
  
  Value stream analysis does make it easier for businesses to successfully implement Six Sigma and derive the associated benefits. You will learn how to interpret the data in order to make the most progress and profit.

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

Click here to get started with Value Stream Mapping...