Excel Value Stream Map
Value Stream Maps graphically represent process flow as it is actually performed. VSM is typically built following a visit to Gemba (where things are really happening) to depict what is really going on (rather than the theoretical process described in standards and procedures). This approach and VSM concepts are excellently described in " Learning to See " by Mike Rother To follow the value stream you can follow a product along the manufacturing line or a customer order along the administrative value stream like in " staple yourself to an order " We will analyze the alternative to "Post-Its on the wall" using Microsoft Excel. Horizontal Vs Vertical Flow Value Stream Maps are typically designed to flow horizontally left to right. When a value stream is complex it becomes difficult to view the whole picture: it may require several pages and this makes it difficult to follow. Making the VSM vertically allows us to visualize a complex value stream in a ...