IDEA OF ADAPTATION VALUE STREAM MAPPING METHOD TO THE CONDITIONS OF THE MINING INDUSTRY

The Value Stream Mapping (VSM) method is one of the tools of the lean manufacturing methodology. It originates in the Toyota Production System (TPS). In Toyota this method was called “Material and Information Flow Mapping”. This technique enables analyzing and designing the flow of materials and information required to bring a product or a service to an internal or external customer. In the automotive industry it is widely used to optimize processes, eliminate waste, set proper level of stock and, last but not least, to actually see and understand the real process. VSM helps to understand and streamline work processes using tools and techniques of Lean Manufacturing. The aim of VSM is to identify, demonstrate and decrease waste in the process. It can serve as a starting point to help management, engineers, production associates, schedulers, suppliers and customers recognize waste and identify its causes. VSM can be a communication tool, but also may be used as a strategic planning tool. A value stream can be defined as all the actions — both value added and non-value added — currently required to bring a product (service) through the main production flows essential to every product [5]. Value Stream Mapping is used to represent the current state of the production system and the future (“ideal”) state that are developed to implement lean solutions. Future state map is a basis in the process of developing implementation plans to install lean systems [5]. VSM is in fact a sophisticated flow charting method that helps visualizing processes and track performance. This method enables determining which steps add value and which do not. A step (operation) that adds value can be defined as a step in the production process that improves the product for the customer. Non-value added steps can be defined as activitie