Value Stream Mapping

Creating a visual picture of the 'Current State' or how material and information flows from suppliers through manufacturing and to the customer. Total lead-time, process cycle times and value-added times are measured. The Future State is created based on goals desired based on market conditions and strategic planning for the business.

Variability Control and Recurrence Prevention

One of the seven KAIZEN Concepts. This is often called "Ask why five times" because it seeks through curious questioning to arrive at the root cause of a problem so that problem can be eliminated once and for all.

Visible Management

The presentation of a wide variety of information in the workplace. Such information may pertain to jobs themselves, to the business as a whole, to how work teams are progressing on a project. Kanban cards are examples of Visible Management, as are storage bins with sample pans displayed, tool shadow boards, storyboards, etc.

Visual Management

When the normal state and abnormal state can be clearly and visually defined, visual management is possible. In visual management, simple visual tools are used to identify the target state, and any deviance is met with corrective action.