Value stream management is a process that helps you optimize the flow of work in your business. It improves efficiency and quality, and it can also help you reduce costs.
According to experts like Micro Focus, “VSM provides a bird’s-eye view of the entire SDLC to better identify and evaluate individual elements of the value stream and analyze data holistically.”
This post will show you how to implement value stream management by following five important steps.
Visually map the flow of work
One of the key practices in value stream management is to visualize the flow of work to make it easier to identify and address anything that slows down your value stream. One way you can do this is by creating a flowchart, which visually maps out all the steps in your process.
Another method is using a value stream map, which shows your customers’ needs at one end and the stages of production at the other end.
Understand your product and service delivery process
The first step in understanding your process is to understand it. This means understanding the current state of your company and its activities, from how a product gets from design to production through distribution and service, all the way through until you get paid for selling it.
You need to understand this process in its entirety and then go back over it again with an eye for improvement or optimization opportunities.
Manage the end-to-end flow of information
Information flow is a critical factor in the success of any value stream. In fact, it can be said that information flow is not just the key to success but also its motivator. Every step in your process should be clear from one person to another so that nothing gets lost and there are no delays or mistakes caused by miscommunication.
This isn’t just about keeping your workflows streamlined. It’s also about making sure you’re getting feedback from clients on time so you can improve their experience as well as yours with each interaction.
Track and measure lead time through value stream management analytics
The next step is to track and measure the lead time through value stream management analytics. A good VSM tool will be able to provide you with an accurate picture of where work is being done, how long it takes, which departments are involved in the process, and so on.
This information can be used to identify bottlenecks and make necessary improvements. The goal here is not only to eliminate delays but also to increase throughput by making sure that there are no unplanned stops along the way.
Implement a continuous improvement program
In a continuous improvement program, you’re creating a plan for identifying and working on your company’s problems. The first step is to create goals for the future. Next, identify the steps needed to achieve those goals. Then create a timeline of when each phase should be completed and by whom.
Finally, make sure everyone knows about it! It’s important that employees know what they need to do in order to improve things at your company better than ever before.
The key takeaway from these five best practices for value stream management is that you need to understand the flow of work, or in other words, how your products or services are created. This will help ensure that your organization can make improvements to its processes, which in turn will increase profits and customer satisfaction.
