Continuous Improvement Tools: VSM, PDCA, Course Name, Semester 1

This report examines two essential continuous improvement tools: Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. VSM is presented as a macro-level approach to visualize and optimize production processes by mapping the value stream to reduce waste and identify areas for improvement. The PDCA cycle is introduced as a cyclical process for implementing and refining quality improvement projects, emphasizing the importance of planning, implementation, evaluation, and adjustment to achieve desired quality indicators. The report highlights the practical applications of these tools, emphasizing their role in achieving continuous improvement and driving better business outcomes. The report references how these tools help in process control, quality management, and overall business development.

Two Continuous Improvement Tools
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Develop two continuous improvement tools
One of the continuous improvement tools is VSM. To reduce waste and losses in a
production chain, a macro view of the process is necessary. A value stream is a sequence of steps
that are necessary to provide a product or service to users. In order to provide users with the
services they desire, each company forms its own set of such steps. Mapping the flows of value
creation allows you to better understand exactly what these steps are, where additional value
appears, where not, and, most importantly, how this general process can be improved (Peris-
Ortiz & Á lvarez-García, 2014). VSM is a structural visual description of the key steps and the
data associated with these steps, which are urgently needed for meaningful optimization of the
entire process , and not just one of its sections at the expense of others.
Another tool is PDCA. On the basis of achieving improvement results, through the
PDCA cycle, new quality improvement projects should be selected and implemented, and
continuous quality improvement should be performed according to the new improvement goals.
The PDCA cycle is also widely used in process control. Initially, quality indicators are planned,
that is, parameters that a product, service, process must meet and an action plan is developed to
obtain the required parameters (Peris-Ortiz & Á lvarez-García, 2014). Then comes the creation of
the product with the planned properties and the manufactured products or process are controlled.
During the control, the compliance of quality indicators with the planned values is checked, and
all available deviations are revealed. Further, the causes of the appearance of such deviations are
identified and the correction is carried out. Sometimes you also have to make adjustments to the
entire previously planned action plan (Peris-Ortiz & Á lvarez-García, 2014). After the
implementation of corrective measures, the compliance of the resulting quality indicators with
their planned values is checked again. The cycle is repeated until the result matches the plan.

Since the planned quality indicators are periodically changed in accordance with the
requirements of consumers, the cycle serves to continuously improve quality and is an effective
tool for achieving the best results.

References
Peris-Ortiz, M., & Á lvarez-García, J. (2014). Action-based quality management: strategy and
tools for continuous improvement. http://www.books24x7.com/marc.asp?bookid=76651.