Comments on: Value Stream Wrapping

By: Ryan Cartier

Ryan Cartier — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:14:15 +0000

I prefer a pencil and paper in lean implementations also.
The only time I produce a digital (excel, visio or VSM software) version of a value stream map is for some type of report out, management presentation or record – but I feel this 2nd production (rework) of a cleaned up version is waste;
and if it is to be used for training purposes, a better method would be to coach employees and executives through their own materials and information flow.

By: bryan_ostrowski@cargill.com

bryan_ostrowski@cargill.com — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:24:13 +0000

Agree with Jaime totally. I have fought the battle and asked the people to trust me. Once they see the results on paper first, they usually get it.

Bryan O.
Global CI Leader

By: Bruce Hamilton

Bruce Hamilton — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:12:19 +0000

Thanks for your observations, Jamie. Peripheral vision is definitely underrated.

By: Jamie Flinchbaugh

Jamie Flinchbaugh — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 00:06:50 +0000

I have been “forced”, against my better judgement, to participate a few sessions where the mapping was done digitally. Here’s how it affected the team. First, and most importantly, they put most of their attention on formatting and wordsmithing. Their attention was not on understanding what the map was telling them. The second problem was that they couldn’t see the whole map on the projector screen at once, and some of the insights were hidden because of this.

If you want a digital version of the map, either take a picture of it when you’re done or have someone in the background building it in parallel while the team is focused on the map.

The primary purpose of the observation and mapping is to build a clear and common understanding of current reality. You can’t do that just by building a map. You need dialog and activity to build that understanding.

Jamie Flinchbaugh
http://Www.JamieFlinchbaugh.com

By: Gary

Gary — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:52:16 +0000

Value Stream Mapping is a messy process. Neat and pretty gets in the way of collecting the information. I really prefer to grab all the data I can and worry about how pretty the paper looks at a later date (if ever!). To me VSM is the start of change. I remember someone telling me that: “No one like change except a baby — and the baby screams all through the change process.” Let’s remember the intent of this process.