Identify Opportunities: maximise the value in your processes through Value Stream Mapping (VSM)

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The module in a nutshell

Whenever there is a product or service supplied to an internal or external customer there is a process that provides it. Customers judge the performance of your processes in terms of how quickly they can deliver, on the quality of that good or service and on its cost. All processes can be improved - the challenge is in seeing which ones need to be improved!

Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is a proven technique that allows organisations to capture pictorially, the stream of activities within the process that deliver the product or service into the arms of the customer. Value Stream Maps benefit from the addition of summarised actual process data. The addition of data allows management and improvement teams to pick out specific points in the process with problems that require correction. In this manner a VSM can act as the blueprint for change for any organisation looking to transform their processes.

In summary, a Value Stream Map will help organisations to:

• visualise the entire flow of the process 
• identify and distinguish between those activities that add value to the customer and those that are a source of waste 
• create a complete descriptive analysis of material, process and information flows 
• identify the opportunities for improvement 
• provide a structure and focus for process transformation activities.

Companies using VSM as the basis for process improvement can expect to benefit from:

• improved flexibility to Market/Customer needs 
• efficient use of People, Materials and Equipment 
• reduced lead time 
• improved response time 
• capacity improvements 
• built in Quality 
• results that can be seen - not just measured

The aim and outcomes of the module

The aim of this VSM workshop is to develop the competences required to:

1. Construct a VSM to capture the current state process
2. Identify the critical process performance measures
3. Identify process improvement opportunities
4. Create a future state VSM as a vision for an improved process
5. Manage improvement activities towards the future state

Who Identify opportunities is for

This module is suitable for any organisation that is looking to improve the performance of their processes. It has been used very effectively in the past by organisations looking to provide structure to their process improvement activities. The module does not require any previous experience and would benefit a number of different groups from senior management looking to identify strategic improvement opportunities through to process owners or process improvement specialists.

What’s in Identify opportunities

This workshop follows a balanced mixture of theory and practical application. Delegates will learn about how to:

• map material, information and process flows using VSM symbols 
• identify suitable process activity measures 
• identify wasteful process activities as opportunities for improvement activities 
• develop a master schedule of improvement activities.

Important other information

Duration: Identify opportunities: maximise the value in your processes through Value Stream Mapping (VSM lasts for one day and can be used by itself or in combination with other modules in the Process Transformation Programme.

Location: Ideally a room close to the workplace of participants, though it can be run off-site effectively.

In common with other modules in the Process Transformation Programme the module is designed to run successfully with between 8 to 18 participants.

Price: As a stand-alone module, £2,500 inclusive of all materials. This price does not include expenses which are charged at cost..

Contact for more information:

Karen Dunn
Burge Hughes Walsh
Suite 13b
Castle Mound Way
Central Park
Rugby CV23 0UZ

Telephone: 01788 550015
email: kdunn@burgehugheswalsh.co.uk