Hi there and welcome to this blog post on a recent VSM (Value Stream Mapping) session I did with a team at the Dutch Railroads.
In today's fast-paced and ever-changing business world, organizations are constantly seeking ways to improve their processes and increase efficiency. One popular tool used for this purpose is Value Stream Mapping, or VSM.
A VSM is a visual representation of the steps involved in a process, from start to finish. It can help organizations identify areas where improvements can be made, and can serve as a guide for continuous improvement efforts.
As a DevOps Coach, I have seen firsthand the impact that a VSM can have on a team. In one instance, I was coaching a team at the Dutch Railroads that had a lot of dependencies with other teams and even teams from other departments. While they knew they had these dependencies, they didn't fully understand the impact they were having on their process. That's when I suggested doing a VSM session.
During the VSM session, we mapped out the entire process, including the handover moments, execution time, waiting time, manual tasks, and automated tasks. By visualizing the process, the team was able to see where bottlenecks were occurring and where waste was being generated. This became their guide for the upcoming months in automating as much as possible and eliminating waste as much as possible.
The beauty of using a VSM is that it doesn't just show you where the problems are, it also helps you to identify potential solutions. Every time the team eliminated one bottleneck, they moved on to the next. This showed a mindset and behaviors of continuous improvement. With each improvement, the team became more efficient, which ultimately led to better outcomes for the organization.
Another benefit of using a VSM is that it promotes collaboration among team members. When mapping out the process, everyone is involved, from the front-line workers to the managers. This creates a shared understanding of the process, which can lead to better communication and collaboration.
In conclusion, a VSM is an important tool for organizations looking to streamline their processes, eliminate waste, and increase efficiency. By visualizing the process, identifying bottlenecks, and promoting continuous improvement, teams can become more efficient and effective in their work. So, if you're looking to improve your processes, consider using a VSM. It just might be the key to unlocking your team's full potential.