Lean Production, Value Stream Mapping Guru Books – How to?

Would you like to have the best guidance to run Value Stream? Learn from proven techniques and steps from the bests in lean manufacturing field.

this article covers:

• Value Stream Leaders MUSTs
• Learning to See vs. Creating Mixed Model
• Learning to See – book review
• Creating Mixed Model Value Stream – book review
• Conclusion about books
• Lean takeaways

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Vale Stream Leaders – Musts

There are two books, leaders managing or supervising value streams must have, must read, needs to understand, pursue, and live.

First book is Learning to see, written by Mike Rother and John Shook. And the second one is, creating Mixed model value stream, by Kevin J Duggan.

People working in value streams should be aware, trained and understand concepts written in these two great books.

Value stream map is key tool to understand current organization of delivering products to customer. So, everyone working in the stream can understand overall function, and their role in it.

And that is what these two great books are teaching us.

Manufacturing Lean Improvement Example – read here

Learning to See vs. Creating Mixed Model

Learning to see is more about how to draw VSM in detail, and how to set proper running processes in 8 steps.

These steps are very well described and usable for different production models. Meaning both, mass production, and custom-made production. Book name describes its purpose – to learn how to map value stream, to create value, and eliminate waste.

Just a little note here: Muda is Japanies word for the waste

Mixed model describes lean techniques for building to demand productions.

There are covered critical needs for high variety product environments and how to develop lean system in 10 very detailed steps. Book builds on knowledge of value stream mapping. So, you must already know to draw and read Value stream map.

What are The best Continuous Improvement tools? – read here

5 Lean principles check list download

5 Lean principles check list – is a great list of activities to incorporate lean thinking and culture in your organization. Download and distribute it in your team. Train, and demand it to embed lean. Your processes will run smoother. This is what you will get: (preview)

I do videos, blog posts, and all templates, in my free time. I will appreciate if you can donate me a cup of cofee, for more energy in my creation. (1 dollar counts, too 😉 Click on this link: I would like to support Erik in his effort

Learning to See – book review

There are 6 bookmarks dividing chapters, in learning to see. First chapter explains how value stream mapping helps to visualize all process levels and material and information flows. Key section is identifying product families. Mapping and improvement focus is done on one family at the time. Improvement cycle is done by identifying current state, drawing down future state and creating plan to reach it.

Second chapter is dedicated to drawing current state map. Its recommending to collect data while walking into processes always by pencil in hand. Mapping starts by showing customer and its requirements. Then drawing material flow with data boxes. Afterwards information flow is draw in. Last is timeline below each process.

Third chapter explains what makes value stream lean. It defines overproduction and 7 lean stream characteristics guidelines.

Future state map drawing is next chapter. It implements 7 guidelines from previous chapter + implementation plan development.

Chapter 5 is about braking implementation plan into detailed steps.

Last Bookmark are VSM icons.

I strongly recommend to have Learning to See book for all managers, for all supervisors, engineers and leaders. It is really worth it.

If you would like to buy “Learning to see” book by Mike Rother click on this affiliate marketing link: https://amzn.to/3nrgHsJ

I may receive a commission if you sign up through this link. This is not affecting final product prices.

Lean vs. Six Sigma? – What is the difference read here

Creating Mixed Model Value Stream – book review

There are 7 main parts in the mixed model book. Each part has sub-chapters dedicated to 10 improvement questions.

Part 1 explains how manufacturers struggles with delivering hundreds of products, produced through the same value stream. How chaos increases with longer lead times. Book will help you to define what kind of manufacturer you are.

Part 2 helps detailly define right product family. Improvement focus is done on one family at the time. Takt time, and equipment ability to support takt time are following. Last chapter part is interval definition. Interval concept enables to run all products in the family.

By answering what are balance charts for product, how to balance flow for the mix, we improve flow at the pacemaker. There is standard work creation process in the mixed model book Part 3.

Part 4 is dedicated to scheduling, and creating pitch at pacemaker. Different scheduling methods are introduced in question 8. mix logic charts are helping with leveling the mix, and teaching how loading schedule box should work.

Part 5 helps with answering how to deal with changes in customer demand. Dynamic supermarket, building at customer demand concepts, are deeply explained.

Last 2 book parts are about set up upstream processes to be supporting pacemaker. It can be done by offset sequencing, or sequenced FIFO. Teaching chapters ends by explaining how everything shoud work together, and what are next steps for the team.

If you would like to buy “Creating Mixed Model VS” book by Kevin J Duggan click on this affiliate marketing link: https://amzn.to/3ZteKta

I may receive a commission if you sign up through this link. This is not affecting final product prices.

Conclusion about books

Both books are written very understandable way. However, reading obviously require some sort of expertise already developed, or will be required to develop it during reading. It is recommended to read both books carefully, with focus on details. But both authors did a very good job in convincing readers to implement gained knowledge by the end of each chapter. There is a brief summary of chapter theme and recommended steps for improvement team.

So put your hands on, roll up your sleeves, and work hard on material and information flow improvement.

Download Value stream transformation list

This list will help you with changes. Steps in this list are following 5 lean principles.

Yes, it is little challenging, but, it is doable.

There are 4 phases. Stabilize, Flow, Pull, and Level. Each phase have several steps and tools used. Understanding of current and future state is developed In the stabilize phase. Flow phase is mainly about machine and manpower capacities and balancing them. Pull phase is about scheduling products through value stream. Level phase helps with improvements standardization.

VST tool list – download for free

Lean takeaways

• Follow methodology – 5 steps
• Teach people on 8 wastes
• Start changing culture – on continuous neverending improvements
• Involve as much as team members in changes
• Encourage your team members by heart
• Do not be afraid of failures

How to run first Six Sigma green belt project? -read here

Do not be scared of using these tools wrong way. It can be part of your learning curve, which is ok. Improve your skills by repeating, and using Lean methods over and over again.

Remember, if you improve process during your first projects by 60%, 40%, or even by 20% it is worth it. You can repeat improving initiative, and improve process next time a litter better. Just keep to have a fun.

Do not forget to visit and subscribe my YouTube channel. I am uploading Six Sigma, Lean and Project oriented videos regurarly. So, stay tuned.

Yours sincerely Erik.