Value stream, a series of strategic steps in delivering products and services, is an important part of professionally rendered services, which keeps the manufacturer focused on creating, formulating and delivering customer-oriented solutions to meet timely needs. Every company has a value stream, either standard or not. However, to make the best out of their value stream and deliver nothing short of quality at anytime, anywhere, and any instance, having value stream mapping is important. Value stream mapping brings a better organization and structure to the fore by visualizing the steps and real-time data to help make informed decisions. Value stream mapping can be enhanced by using amazing technology-based tools, and here is how to.
1. Get the right product:
The best place to start enhancing your value stream mapping from is through laying your hand on the right technological tool. Different technological tools flood the market, from which you can make your choice. However, the product that should gain your fancy is one that can provide you an overview of information flow; including the transitional stages of request between the client and supply, via a manager; product flow; including stages of UI design, product development, test, and building; and the time ladder which punctuates the production lead time and processing time.
2. Understand the core players and features of the technology:
Different strokes, different folks. When you have decided to choose a value stream mapping tool that best suits your process, then you should proceed to understand the features. That is the only way you can maximize the potential of the products. You can read an instructional manual from the developer, or you can watch YouTube tutorials. After you have mastered this, input your core players into the provided column for your variables. Now, you can start working on a precise, calculated scheme.
3. Use the visualization option:
The most credible way to know what you have, understand the process, and how much you have to cover is through the visualization of processes. A technology-based tool will enhance your value stream mapping with an optimized concept of visualization that simplifies the interpretation of data.
4. Optimize data:
When you have included all the requested variables in the appropriate portion of the value stream mapping software, you will have realistic data, which you can work with, to manage your team, develop your product, and efficiently distribute to customers in the right delivery chain. The world, today, belongs to those who have data at their fingertips. So, if you ever wonder if a value stream mapping software has an advantageous over manual value stream mapping, yes, it does. Precise data is a powerful point that changes the game 50 times more effectively.
5. Call in all activities:
As a team lead, getting a technology-based value stream mapping tool is important because it allows you to track progress and compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures when team members call in their activities for each production process. This way, you are assured of quality, a holistic view of your team and the development process. No one lags. No one delivers a service short of quality, which may affect the final product. By calling in all activities on the VSM tech tool, you open your organization to more success.