How to implement LEAN Manufacturing? – We apply Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
What is VSM – Value Stream Mapping?
Kaizen, 5Ss, Pokayoke, Hejunka, Muri, Mudas….. very trendy terms. Lean, a methodology that is not modern at all (more than 70 years old) but more relevant than ever, and which is proving highly effective when it comes to managing continuous improvement in Operations.
However, the objective of lean is to reduce the 9 forms of muda, or waste, that we typically have in our processes:
- Inventory.
- Transport.
- People movement.
- Waiting times.
- Overprocessing.
- Overproduction.
- Errors.
- Waste of people’s talent.
- Energy waste.
At LISDATA, we have focused on the process itself, analysing and adding value to a core tool within the Lean methodology: VSM (Value Stream Map, or value stream mapping) for our logistics operations.
VSM + B.I
We have managed to combine a value stream map with KPI values and parameters. We update this in company-configurable batches (every hour, 5-minute interval, week, etc.), loading information from the WMS-ERP into a dashboard.
This tool, together with the historical values of each parameter—work-in-process inventories, waiting times, etc.—will allow us to analyse online the impact of the actions implemented on the corresponding KPIs, demonstrating the correlation between the action taken and the improvement in the data, and enabling real-time adjustments, thereby reducing the risk associated with our changes.
A solution that is 100% adaptable to our clients’ processes and, without a doubt, a complementary and essential element in any implementation of a lean culture in the Supply Chain.