[eVSM] Our Vision for Mixed Model

You may have used the eVSM software before. The standard icons, variables, calculations, and charts that can help you quickly capture the value stream, evaluate metrics, visualize waste, and come up with the best improvement ideas. It works very well with dedicated, or Low Mix, lines, as so many of our lean practitioners have found.

We've noted, however that value stream mapping a mixed model production line has always required compromise. To be able to estimate capacity, lead times, and losses on a value stream map, you’re forced to average demands and cycle times across different products. Unless you’re careful, these calculations get lost, and if not, they're hard to make sense of months after the fact.

It's also really hard to rationalize routings for similar products that don't quite follow the same steps. This makes it much harder to use the map in a group setting, since everyone has to try to understand the compromises you made on the map. Routine calculations like lead time become tedious and error prone in this environment.

Imagine an alternative method where you can specify your product routings, and part-specific process info directly, avoiding all the averaging. A lot simpler, right? Now imagine visual aids like highlighted product routes and asset utilization charts showing you how much of the asset each product is using. Much easier to understand! You can SEE the value stream much better.

Next time, we’re going to tell you more about our new alternative method so you can see for yourself. Stay tuned.