Väärtusvoog

Väärtusvoog, or value stream, refers to the sequence of activities required to deliver a product or service to a customer. It encompasses all the steps, both value-adding and non-value-adding, from the initial concept or request to the final delivery. Understanding and mapping the value stream is a core principle in Lean management, aiming to identify and eliminate waste within the process.

The concept originated from the Toyota Production System, where it was used to analyze and optimize manufacturing processes. By visualizing the entire flow of materials and information, companies can pinpoint bottlenecks, delays, and inefficiencies. These non-value-adding activities, often referred to as "muda" in Lean terminology, consume resources without contributing to the customer's perception of value.

Mapping a value stream typically involves creating a diagram that illustrates each step, the time taken for each step, the lead time (total time from start to finish), and the amount of inventory or work-in-progress at each stage. This visual representation allows teams to analyze the current state and then design a future state that is more efficient and customer-centric. The ultimate goal is to shorten lead times, reduce costs, improve quality, and increase customer satisfaction. Implementing changes to optimize the value stream is an ongoing process of continuous improvement.