Lean Dynamics LLC                                                                            

Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is a seemingly simple yet very powerful way to see your process as an integrated, interconnected system.  A VSM gives you a unique perspective on your process, how material flows, how the process performs and why it doesn’t do so perfectly.  It provides a straightforward, easy to understand, picture of all your major production equipment, the material that flows through it, and the factors influencing flow at each step.  It also charts all of the communication processes and information transformations that ultimately control material flow.

A well-constructed VSM shows all of the barriers to smooth, continuous flow, where large in-process inventories are and why, and all of the wastes and inefficiencies in your process.  It is a very focused diagnostic tool, allowing you to analyze it for limitations to process performance, to drive improvement plans toward an improved future state.

A VSM is such a powerful diagnostic tool that we recommend it as the first step in any manufacturing improvement initiative.  Not only does it illustrate the detractors to outstanding process performance, it provides a template for gathering all the performance data needed by the improvement tools.

Lean Dynamics offers you coaching, guidance, and training in VSM creation, analysis, and scoping programs to drive you to an improved future state.  Guidance in creating the future state VSM to clarify the benefits, document the objectives, and motivate action is provided.

 Lean Dynamics offers training in the use of electronic tools to facilitate capturing and maintaining VSMs, such as Microsoft Visio and eVSM.  eVSM is one of the most capable,  highly regarded and frequently used electronic tools for this purpose. 

Developed to facilitate continuous improvement in discrete parts assembly manufacturing (automobiles, refrigerators, cell phones), Value Stream Mapping must be enhanced to be fully effective in the production of personal care products, food and beverage, chemicals, and the like. 

The book describes these enhancements based on King's 25 years of experience as a lean practitioner, with the DuPont Company and in private practice.  

 It includes examples of VSMs from real processes, and describes how they were used to improve operations.

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