What is the value stream mapping process and how can it help your organization improve in a short period of time? If you haven’t yet discovered how a lean organization can make a difference to your bottom line, you are missing a key to managing your organization in the most efficient way possible, and possibly spending more than you need to on the inefficiencies as they continue.
Imagine that your organization is streamlined – there are no extraneous steps in your process and your implementation is clean, organized and simplified. With an effective Value Stream Mapping Process, you can.
3 Steps to Value Stream Mapping
There are 3 main steps to implementing a Value Stream Mapping Process. These include:
- Divide the task into stages for improvement. Determine what can be done in the first 30 – 60 days, the next 90 – 180 days and then beyond 180 days. Write down these tasks so the team can be accountable.
- Prioritize tasks for each time period. What is more critical, and what needs to be completed before the next task can be entertained. Creating bite sized steps helps to assure that there is a way to monitor progress.
- Be flexible in steps 1 and 2. Communication is key among team members and sometimes things happen that require a change to the plan. This is acceptable as long as it is discussed and agreed by all shareholders in the process.
Being realistic in expectations is important, but without a written value stream map, the roadmap to ongoing improvement, there is no way to monitor progress made. Having concrete, measurable goals assures that all parties are on task, and value stream mapping becomes a workable road map and tool for ongoing improvement.
At Ryder, we focus on Lean Guiding Principles to drive bottom lines.
Leave us a comment if you’re interested in learning more about removing inefficiencies from your organization.
