Question

In chapter four we learn about the value stream or, "the set of all the specific actions required to bring a specific product (whether a good, service, or increasingly a combination of the two) through the three critical management tasks of any business: the problem-solving task, the information management task and the physical transformation task."  Furthermore, value streams must be used to drive improvement; documenting the current state is not enough.   

As you reflect on chapter four, think about and respond to the following questions:
(1). Why must we observe processes firsthand to identify waste?
(2). Why do products and patients spend so much time waiting in the value stream?

Answer 1

Answer: It is important to observe processes firsthand to identify waste as it quickly provide the error and can be rectify to get improved results. This will improve efficiency and productivity.

The products and patients spend so much time waiting in the value stream as the identification of work, process an dthe information cause people to face long waiting time. So, reducing the lead time as well as waste can eliminate the issue of long time waiting.