Defining the eight steps of VSM
Tom Shuker was kind enough to allow me to incorporate their eight-step VSM process for this book. Before we end this chapter and get into the details of executing their VSM strategy, we'll take a quick look at how Tapping and Shuker defined their eight steps for planning, mapping, and sustaining Lean improvements, as follows:
- Commit to Lean (Step 1): A successful Lean initiative requires executive leadership and buy-in from employees and stakeholders. Everyone involved in the VSM initiative must understand the importance of Lean practices to provide a more sustainable business through value delivery. The goal of Lean is to extend the value of HR and not eliminate jobs or take shortcuts.
- Choose value stream (Step 2): We can't implement and improve Lean practices organization-wide overnight. It takes time and effort to identify and implement value stream improvements, with priorities based on the work that adds the most value for...