Value Stream Mapping
Value Stream Mapping
Value stream mapping enables you to identify the wastage in your processes. If an activity is not adding value to your products it is waste and should be removed. When the value stream is analysed most companies are shocked as to the amount of time that none Value adding activities are taking place. Building batches and keeping it as Work In Progress (WIP) is simply adding waste to the process and extending the total processing time.
Value Stream Mapping is a visual method
of mapping the flow of materials and information from the time products
come in from goods inwards, through all the manufacturing processes and
finally ready for despatch. Value stream
mapping is a key tool in
Lean Manufacturing
Principles. This tool can be extended out of the confines
of the organisation to look at the effect your suppliers have on the complete
supply chain.
Mapping of the manufacturing/production processes including:
-
Cycle Times
-
Downtimes
-
In process Inventory
-
Material flow
-
In process storage
will allow you to produce a visual guide to your current manufacturing situation and where waste has been introduced. OEE solutions can provide valuable information for cycle times and Downtime information.
An initial map should be produced showing the "Current State" and then through analysis and design a "Future State" map should be generated.
Value Stream Mapping is a vital tool in your Lean Manufacturing activities and acts as a central focus for all levels of staff from management, engineers, planners to identify and remove none value adding activities.
Benefits of Mapping
Identifies the complete production process not just a single process.
Allows you to identify the sources of waste.
The Current state map and future state map helps form an implementation plan for change and improvement.
The maps can be used to target Kaizen activities.
Gain a better understanding of the linkages between material and information flow.
Create the basis for an effective lean implementation plan by designing how a facility’s door-to-door material and information flow could operate.
Provides a common language and interface for managers , supervisors, engineers and operators to use to analyse waste and plan improvements.