VALUE VS NON-VALUE
THE BASICS OF 2-SECOND LEAN
Value vs Non-Value Activity
We need to look at everything we do as being a process. In the toy factory, adding the wheels to the toy car is a process, painting the wheels is a process etc.
Within each process, there will be value-added activities, and non-value-added activities. We consider value-added activities to be moments where the product is being changed. Screwing the wheel onto the car is value-added, however, walking to get the screwdriver is non-value-added. Only when the paintbrush is touching the wheels is it a value-added activity.
You can break processes down into smaller steps, let’s look at those ones below.
Example 1 - Putting Wheels on a Toy Car
Reading the work sheet to check what needs doing next
This step is non-value.
Walking to get the screwdriver and the screws
This step is non-value.
Lining up where the screw needs to go
This step is non-value.
Using the screwdriver to screw the wheel into the car
This step is value.
Example 2 - Painting the Wheels for the Toy Cars
Reading the work sheet the colour that should be used
This step is non-value.
Walking to grab the correct brush and the right paint
This step is non-value.
Unfastening the tin of paint
This step is non-value.
Applying the paint to the brush
This step is non-value.
Applying paint to the wheels
This step is value.
As you can see again, only when the final product is being altered is it a value-added activity. In this case, it is when the paint is being applied to the wheels.
When you start to consider which parts of the process add value to the product, you start to see some waste. Every non-value activity can be considered waste. In the second example, walking to grab the brush and applying paint to the brush are clear examples of excess motion.
Example 3 - Making a Cup of Coffee
Getting the cup
This step is non-value.
Getting the jar of coffee
This step is non-value.
Waking over and filling the kettle with water
This step is non-value.
Boiling the water
This step is value.
Putting the coffee in the cup
This step is value.
Pouring the boiling water in the cup
This step is value.
Getting the milk from the fridge
This step is non-value.
Pouring the boiling water in the cup
This step is value.
Adding milk to the cup
This step is value.
Stirring the cup
This step is value.
In this case, only when the coffee is being made is there value being added. All the steps to get the ingredients and supplies are waste, and could be reduced.
Why not set up a coffee making station at home? You could have a tree of mugs to hang, a jar of sugar, a jar of coffee, and you could set all this up near the fridge so that the milk is nearer too! You would reduce excess motion and transport easily, as well as removing some steps of over-processing.
Below you can see it in action at our own factory where we are rolling the steel for a circular planter. It’s crazy to see how many steps in a process are non-value!
Exercise
Go and watch a process being performed. Whilst the final product is not being altered or directly worked on, say “Non-Value” aloud or in your head. When it is being altered or worked on, say “Value” aloud or in your head.
You will quickly start to identify value and non-value-added activities in your process. You can use these to identify areas for improvement.
