Value Stream 4.0: A Systems View of Information Flow for Digitalization

This book describes how material and information flows of a value stream can be synchronized with the aim of processing orders as quickly and waste‑free as possible. The design of the value stream is systematically oriented toward the requirements of the respective business model. The approach described goes beyond the classic value stream method, which primarily improves material flow, and places its informational focus primarily on the release of production and transport orders.

Value Stream 4.0: A Systems View of Information Flow for Digitalization focuses on the material and information flow within a product family, beginning with the receipt of customer orders through all process steps until delivery of the finished product. It illustrates how the systematic accumulation and provision of information at the right time, place, amount, and quality can enhance efficiency. Additionally, it explores how information can be leveraged to enhance customer value.

This compact, yet powerful book, is written for production managers, lean managers, operations managers, researchers, and students.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Joachim Metternich Heads the Institute for Production Management, Technology, and Machine Tools (PTW) at TU Darmstadt. His work at PTW primarily revolves around advancing lean production with digital technologies and employing learning factories for this purpose. He gained extensive experience at both domestic and international production sites of leading German companies where he was involved in numerous value stream projects. Before joining PTW, he held a position overseeing the global production system of a mechanical engineering firm.

Dr.-Ing. Tobias Meudt is Manager Corporate Strategy & Portfolio Management at JUWI. He worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the PTW Institute of the TU Darmstadt. For more than ten years, he has been working intensively on topics such as lean production, Industry 4.0 and the development of digitalization strategies for companies in practice. His experience from consulting projects and industry working groups has been incorporated into the development of the methods. He wrote his doctoral thesis on Value Stream Analysis 4.0 and accompanied the development of the Value Stream Method 4.0.

Dr.-Ing. Lukas Hartmann leads the team for Manufacturing Excellence at EDAG PS. In his previous position, he was the head of the Center for Industrial Productivity (CIP) research group at the PTW Institute of Darmstadt University of Technology. In his research work, he deals with the digital transformation of companies and the design of value streams in Industry 4.0. In addition, as a lean consultant, he is confronted with a wide range of issues in factory and value stream design. His experience from practical projects has been incorporated into this book.