mitteväärtusaega

Mitteväärtusaeg refers to periods of time during which a process or operation is not actively adding value to a product or service. In lean manufacturing and business process improvement, identifying and reducing non-value-added time is a key objective. This concept is closely related to the Japanese term "muda," which signifies waste.

Non-value-added time can manifest in various forms. Examples include waiting time, where a product or person is idle waiting for the next step; transportation, moving items or people unnecessarily; inventory, holding excess materials or finished goods; motion, inefficient movement of people or equipment; overproduction, creating more than is immediately needed; overprocessing, performing more work than is required; and defects, requiring rework or scrap.

The goal of analyzing non-value-added time is to streamline processes, reduce lead times, and improve overall efficiency and customer satisfaction. By minimizing these unproductive periods, organizations can free up resources, reduce costs, and deliver value more quickly. Techniques such as value stream mapping are commonly employed to visualize and identify these time sinks within a process. Reducing non-value-added time is a continuous improvement effort, aiming for optimal flow and efficiency.