Find the approach that would produce the best results?
A CIO has made value stream mapping a key part of an overall IT improvement effort. A value stream map for existing services is being developed. Which approach would produce the best results?
OPTIONS
- Hire process consultants to develop process maps, and minimize the involvement of staff in the design of the future state of the value stream
- Ask stakeholders of the value stream to document all process steps which they are responsible for, and then assign team members to each process step to develop improvements
- Hire an organizational change management consultant to identify attitudes, behaviors, and cultural changes required to make value streams more effective
- Ask stakeholders of the value stream to work together to find ways to optimize and eliminate waste, and establish metrics for measuring improvement
ANSWER
Ask stakeholders of the value stream to work together to find ways to optimize and eliminate waste, and establish metrics for measuring improvement
EXPLANATION
This answer involves all value stream stakeholders and the development of current and future state maps as a group. It also includes a definition of throughput metrics that will facilitate measuring improvements. Once the current state of the value stream has been defined, the group should determine improvements that can be made and map what the future state will look like after they are implemented. This exercise is usually focused on identifying waste and improving flow.
