subject: Fighting Delays Through Value Stream Mapping [print this page] Time is a very important aspect in the area of production. In fact, efficient production is all about maintaining product quality and quantity while reducing production times. While production is measured by the ratio between product output and the input with the reciprocated time, production time seems to be a problem for many businesses.
Time really cant be wasted, since every single second is inevitably consumable. What happens in most businesses is that time is sometimes used irresponsibly. For example, the time it takes for a truck to arrive at a destination to deliver some goods might be utilized inefficiently because of heavy traffic; delays such as these can negatively affect production rate. In production, everything that makes inefficiently uses up time can be through a process called value stream mapping.
Value stream mapping can be most simply defined as the process of eliminating delays. Delays are misused time. For example, the basic steps in the process of treating a patient include logging the request for treatment, evaluation request, research request, request validation, test scheduling, and then treatment. The entire process, which can actually be completed in a few hours, may reach the last step only after two months.
Value stream mapping is designed to cut off delays between the steps of the process, or make use of those delays productively. Most manufacturing companies create a value stream mapping simulation game for all employees, to stress the importance of preventing delays. Delays can be manifested in terms of equipment stoppages during break times, and maintenance procedures for a vital part of the system that can shut down the entire production.
What these companies usually do is to avoid a linear process of production. They redesign their process by either integrating one step with another, or including some steps at the background of the process, letting two or more steps happen simultaneously. Also included in a value stream mapping simulation game is the adoption of shifting for break periods, to keep the process going and to avoid complete work stoppages.
Everyone in the company plays a role in the process. This means that all employees are obliged to conform to the changes in the process design. A value stream mapping simulation game can be a helpful activity during value stream mapping training, because the game can feed the employees information in a more interesting way.
