Value Stream Mapping – Finding Improvement Opportunities
SMART WORK
Value Stream Mapping – Finding Improvement Opportunities
We have mapped the production flow of the truck cab in the plant - since the steel coils and metal sheets arrival until the cab production end.
During three weeks, all multifunctional teams from production areas (stamp factory and pre-assembly, assembly line - BIW, painting and final assembly line) received training in a VPS (Volvo Production System) tool known as VSM - Value Stream Mapping.
"It was an intense and interesting activity, and we have had lots of productive discussions", said Ida Melander, VSM specialist from Umeĺ.
During weeks 44-46, Fábio Cardoso (Lean Consultant from Táktica) conducted the Value Stream Mapping trainings assisted by Ida Melander (VSM specialist from Volvo) and Johan Andrén (Consultant VPS).
The VSM consists in a visual representation of the whole process, including the activities that add value and the activities that do not add value. Value is understood as the activity the client is willing to pay.
The training took place at Volvo Trucks plant in Umeĺ, and it took two and a half days (2,5) for each production area.
VALUE STREAM MAPPING
The first day included the training and the Current State Value Stream Mapping from the productive area. Some data as cycle time, inventory and etc. were gathered along with the process operators.
"During these days we have had contact with a lot of operators and I would like to thank them all for the comprehension of our work. All data were absolutely essential to identify and analyze the production flow", affirmed Ida Melander.
On the second day the Future Value Stream was projected using the VPS principles to create a stream with less waste and an action plan to achieve the company´s objectives.
At the end of the two and a half days, during week 46, a coaching day counted with the presence of Paulo Lima (Táktica Swedish branch office´s Director for Volvo Trucks) and Ove Börjesson (VPS Coordenator for Europe).
"This shows us that mapping easily evidence the points that need to be improved. One of many examples is the display of the excessive inventory" said Paulo Lima.
WORKSHOP ABOUT THE FUTURE
The last activity after three weeks was a one-day Workshop, in which every productive area presented they mapping work to the other areas.
Then, along with the plant manager team, everybody could see together the complete representation to produce the cab.
"It was an intense and interesting activity, and we have had lots of productive discussions. Therefore, the multifunctional teams of each productive area are satisfied with the education and learning of the VSM tool" said Ida Melander.
 Johan Andrén, Fábio Cardoso, Ida Melander and Andreas Alseryd in a pause during the VSM Training. |
 The training room received a great public at the VSM training conclusion. All management teams where present to analyze the results of the Value Stream Mapping at the truck cab production line. |
 I was almost three days to analyze the Value Stream inside each production area. |