When researching the topic of process improvement, the results can be overwhelming. I like to use the five core principles of lean operations to create permanent results:
- Define Value: Look at your product or service through the lens of your customer(s). What are they willing to pay for? For example, I often find that the one feature I need in an app isn’t included in the basic plan, so I have to get the pro version, even though I’ll never use the long list of other premium features.
- Create a Value Stream Map: This helps you analyze the process and determine which activities add value to your product or service and which don’t. Then start removing the wasteful activities (See my previous post about the Seven Types of Waste). Keep in mind that there are activities you must perform that do not add value, such as inspection and invoicing.
- Create Flow: Remove unnecessary non-value-added activities and examine the order of operations. Is there a clear path from start to finish? Are the steps to completing a task logical?
- Establish a Pull System: After having a good Value Stream Map and a smooth process flow, you can establish a pull system. A pull system ensures that work is only completed when there is demand. Manufacturing extra products in anticipation of upcoming orders is risky and wasteful. Work on the Value Stream Map and the process flow to perfect the lead times and capacities of your process.
- Use Continuous Process Improvement to Seek Perfection: Approach perfection by continuously assessing and improving processes and procedures, as well as continually removing waste to perfect the process and improve the value stream.
If you are interested in Lean Operations, please reach out to me. I will evaluate your current process, help you define value, create a value stream map, and create a process map that provides the best process flow. I will also help you move to a pull system and show you how to implement continuous process improvement.