Wertstroms

Wertstroms, a German term meaning "value streams," is a concept central to lean manufacturing and process improvement methodologies. A wertstrom refers to all the actions, both value-added and non-value-added, required to bring a product or service from its initial concept through to delivery to the customer. The primary goal of analyzing wertstroms is to identify and eliminate waste, thereby increasing efficiency and improving flow.

A fundamental tool for understanding wertstroms is the value stream map (VSM). This visual diagram depicts the flow of materials and information as a product makes its way through the value stream. It illustrates every step in the process, from raw materials to the end user, and includes data such as cycle times, inventory levels, and wait times. By mapping the current state, practitioners can see bottlenecks, redundancies, and other forms of waste, often categorized as muda in lean terminology.

The analysis then leads to the design of a future state map, which represents an ideal, streamlined process. This future state serves as a target for continuous improvement initiatives, guiding efforts to create a more efficient and responsive system. The focus is on creating smooth, pull-based workflows where activities are triggered by customer demand rather than forecasted schedules.

Ultimately, managing wertstroms is about seeing the entire process holistically rather than optimizing isolated parts. It helps organizations reduce lead times, lower costs, and increase overall value delivered to the customer, making it a cornerstone of lean thinking.