Implementing Value Stream Mapping – VSM in a R&D Organization
Year: 2010
Editor: Andreas Dagman; Rikard Söderberg
Author: Tingström, Johan; Gustavsson, Håkan; Palmér, Peter
Section: The Design Process
Page(s): 75-86
Abstract
The paper presents two cases where Value Stream Mapping has been used in a R&D organisation. The study showed that there are possibilities to improve a process using a VSM approach. In the two cases in this paper, both improved. They improved in different ways. In the first study the aim was to manage more with the same staff and the second was to make same with less staff. As it seems now this was possible to fulfil. The experience shows that it is difficult with definition of value in a R&D process. This obstacle was solved with discussion with the group working within the process. The finding is that VSM should not be implemented as a transformation, but as an evolutionary strategy in the organisation. The group acting within the process is the one responsible for improving its processes. The staff needs to know and feel that they have the power to decide how they work in their processes.
Keywords: Lean engineering, Lean Product Development, LPD, Value Stream Mapping, VSM.