Quantifying leanness combining value stream mapping with a data envelopment analysis based method — A case study at a swedish logistics company

摘要

By describing companies through their processes it is possible to get a well-established overall understanding of the company. This case study is based on the daily operations of a small logistics company specialized in international transportation. We perform Value Stream Mapping in order to propose improvements leading to reduced processing time. Afterwards a Data Envelopment Analysis based method is used to calculate the leanness score of the current system and estimate how much the leanness can increase by the proposed improvements. Results show that waste produced by bad workplace layout and over-processing can be eliminated. A suggested solution is to introduce standardized processes and to invest in technical instruments in order to automate production. According to this study the business is 45 percent lean at present and could with simple improvements soon become 61 percent lean and finally reach an ideal state at 100 percent leanness if production is automated.