Effective Use of Value Stream Maps and Process Flow in Product Development

Click here for Jim Luckman's bio

One of the challenges of lean transformation is to focus on the value added that is created by the operator. Applying lean in product development requires optimizing the growth of knowledge about the product, customer, and manufacturing. The process of developing products is the integration of knowledge growth and flow.

In this workshop you will learn how to utilize a specially adapted version of value stream mapping to truly see your product development process, identify waste, and create a lean product development value stream. This value-stream mapping method was created specifically to deal with the complexities inherent in the product development process. It enables you to map the flow of knowledge as it moves through interdependent work streams. Track the progress of design data that can reside in multiple locations simultaneously. Capture ���knowledge work���. Map projects over long lead times. In fact, because of these complexities, value stream mapping may potentially be an even more powerful tool in product development than it has been in manufacturing.