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Translating value stream maps into system dynamics models: a practical framework

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Abstract

One of the best-known tools from Lean Thinking is the Value Stream Mapping (VSM), which stands for a visual modelling approach allowing the identification of critical steps in a supply chain, thus helping to identify organisational bottlenecks and wastes. Despite its relevance, VSM is based on a static report from the time the mapping was performed. To add dynamism to VSM analysis, computer-based simulations can be employed; however, little is done in the domain of Systems Dynamics (SD), a known modelling approach usually employed to get insights about stock and flows behaviour. In this context, this research aims to propose a practical framework called VSM-to-SD to help modellers easily translate VSM into System Dynamics quantitative models using the notation of two known modelling tools on the market, namely Stella(C) and Vensim(C). To demonstrate its usefulness and ease-of-use, a proof-of-concept is developed in an industrial case study. Results suggest the efficiency of the VSM-to-SD framework, including its ability to straightforwardly generate simulation-based VSM, allowing analytic comparisons of different simulation scenarios, and expanding the analytic decision-making capacity of managers desiring to go further than traditional and static VSM.

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Funding

This research is partially supported by the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Sao Paulo (IFSP) in Brazil and by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada (grant number RGPIN-2018-06680).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Doctoral Program in Economy, Organizations and Knowledge Management, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil

    Rodrigo Furlan de Assis

  2. Department of Information Systems and Quantitative Methods in Business, Business School, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500, boul. De l’Université, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada

    Luis Antonio de Santa-Eulalia

  3. Department of Mathematics and Industrial Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, QC, H3C 3A7, Canada

    William de Paula Ferreira & Fabiano Armellini

  4. School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Campinas, Mendeleyev Street, 200, Campinas, Brazil

    Rosley Anholon

  5. PNPD/CAPES Program, Doctoral Program in Sustainable Management Systems, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, Brazil

    Izabela Simon Rampasso

  6. Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Campinas, Mendeleyev Street, 200, Campinas, Brazil

    João Guilherme Cruz Lopes dos Santos

Authors
  1. Rodrigo Furlan de Assis
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  2. Luis Antonio de Santa-Eulalia
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  3. William de Paula Ferreira
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  4. Fabiano Armellini
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  5. Rosley Anholon
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  6. Izabela Simon Rampasso
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  7. João Guilherme Cruz Lopes dos Santos
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Contributions

Rodrigo Furlan de Assis: conceptualisation, methodology, formal analysis, visualisation, writing — original draft, writing — review and editing. Luis Antonio de Santa-Eulalia: conceptualisation, methodology, supervision, validation, writing — review and editing. William de Paula Ferreira: conceptualisation, methodology, formal analysis, visualisation, writing — review and editing. Fabiano Armellini: validation, funding acquisition, writing — review and editing. Rosley Anholon: validation, writing — review and editing. Izabela Simon Rampasso: validation, writing — review and editing. João Ghilherme Crux Lopes dos Santos: conceptualisation, methodology, formal analysis.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to William de Paula Ferreira.

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de Assis, R.F., de Santa-Eulalia, L.A., Ferreira, W.d.P. et al. Translating value stream maps into system dynamics models: a practical framework. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 114, 3537–3550 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-021-07053-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-021-07053-y

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