Work content (Wc) represents total operator cycle time or, if multiple operators, the sum of operator cycle times to perform a specific process(es) or sub-process(es). The scope of human work, including both value-added and non value–added activities, may encompass a complete value stream or only a portion of it. For example, the lean practitioner may speak of the work content to check-in and room a patient, assemble a sensor module or process a claim.
A complex man, born July 30, 1863, Henry Ford developed the automotive mass production assembly line. His relentless and systematic focus on efficiency and costs reduction resulted in many technical and busines
When evaluating countermeasures, it is common to determine which countermeasure has the best average result. A lazy analyst may then conclude that the countermeasure with the overall best average is the preferred solution. On many occasions this intellectual sloth may result in the best choice, but there are some occasions where this type of thinking could result in disaster.
The wrongheaded thinking arises from not realizing that just because the average result is better; it doesn’t mean that the overall results are better.
Vilfredo Federico Damaso Pareto was born 165 years ago on July 15, 1848. As an economist Pareto established that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population.
Pitch is a representation of takt image - a visual and often audible management timeframe that lean practitioners use to pace and monitor value stream performance. It is typically driven by, and linked to, a value stream or line’s pacemaker process. Pitch performance is routinely tracked and reinforced with plan vs actual charts (a.k.a. production analysis boards), digital displays, lines that are “pulsed” or indexed every time interval, etc.
An interesting pattern often emerges when you graph the coefficient of variation (Cv) vs. volume of a process time series.
So you cut your cycle time by 10%.
...Or did you?
Recently a reader posed the following value stream mapping lead time related question(s). My experience, after facilitating more value stream mapping activities than I care to remember, is that it's not an uncommon question. In fact, it's a very good question.
I provided a quick answer...supplemented by a very sophisticated graphic (recently enhanced, in red, based on a comment from Sandor).
