Supporting value stream design using S-BPM

Abstract

This paper proposes that the lean production method of value stream design (VSD) can be supported by subject-oriented business process management (S-BPM). Among the potential benefits of subject-oriented VSD support are a more accurate and faster data capture and a more effective analysis and enactment of process improvements. The integration of the two approaches is possible because they are based on the same understanding of processes - as a set of asynchronous activities with decentralised control and coordination. The paper describes how some of the fundamental concepts of VSD can be mapped onto S-BPM, including commonly used parameters for analysing existing value streams and some design principles for creating future value streams. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.