Abstract
Value-Stream mapping (VSM) is a helpful tool to identify waste and improvement areas. It has emerged as a preferred way to support and implement the lean approach. While lean principles are well-established and have broad applicability in manufacturing, their extension to information technology is still limited. Based on a case study approach, this paper presents the implementation of VSM in an IT firm as a lean IT improvement initiative. It involves mapping the current activities of the firm and identifying opportunities for improvement. After several interviews with employees who are currently involved in the process, current state map is prepared to describe the existing problem areas. Future state map is prepared to show the proposed improvement action plans. The achievements of VSM implementation are reduction in lead time, cycle time and resources. Our finding indicates that, with the new process change, total lead time can be reduced from 20 days to 3 days – 92% reduction in overall lead time for database provisioning process.
Highlights
In today’s highly competitive business environment, information technology (IT) plays a critical role in supporting business functions and satisfying business requirements
This paper describes the implementation of Value-Stream mapping (VSM) in an IT firm as a lean IT improvement initiative
Since the objective of this study is to describe how VSM can be implemented within a real-life context, a case study was used
Summary
In today’s highly competitive business environment, information technology (IT) plays a critical role in supporting business functions and satisfying business requirements. Effective and efficient IT management has the potential to transform business as well as positively impact on a company’s performance (Iden, 2012). As business requirements constantly change, the business function expects IT to streamline IT service provision to improve time-to-market responsiveness. Firms are performing continuous IT process re-engineering initiatives to reduce complexity and cost while providing high quality of services, control, and availability (Attaran, 2004). Lean IT is an approach for creating cost-effective, agile and flexible IT process management (Bell and Orzen, 2010). Lean principles were originally developed to improve quality and reduce cost in manufacturing.
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