| 1. | List all of the steps in a process from beginning to end. |
| 2. | Create a diagram with a box for every step, in sequence. |
| 3. | Calculate the time currently required to complete each step of the process, and add that time to the box - See FIGURE 1 below. |
| 4. | Add the time in each box to yield the Total Cycle Time. |
| 5. | Identify those steps that do not add value to the process. Non value-added operations include: inspection, test, rework, set-up, inventory buffers, product movement other than customer delivery - any activity that does not improve the form, fit, or function of the product on the first pass through the process. |
| 6. | Move the boxes representing non-value-added processes to the right of the value-adding steps - see FIGURE 2 below. |
| 7. | Add the time in each of the non-value-added processes to yield the Non-Value-Added Cycle Time. This is the waste that could be eliminated if only value-added steps were performed. |
| 8. | Add the time in each of the value-added process to yield the Value-Added Cycle Time. |
| 9. | Calculate the percentage of the Total Cycle Time that is a function of Non-Value-Added operations. You may wish to construct a pie chart to communicate the analysis - see FIGURE 3 below. |
| 10. | Identify the target process configuration using benchmarking and best-in-class analysis. |
| 11. | Diagram the target process and determine the Total Target Cycle Time - see FIGURE 4 below. |
| 12. | Analyze the Non-Value-Added steps to identify actions to reduce or eliminate these operations. |
| 13. | Analyze the Value-Added steps to identify improvement opportunities and implement actions to reduce the cycle time. |
| 14. | Diagram the improved process, compare to the target process, and identify gaps for further improvement actions on an ongoing basis until the target is achieved. |
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