Investigation of the Digital Twin Concept to Improve the Value Stream Methodology

The convergence of Value Stream Management with cutting-edge technologies represents a dynamic area of research, as underscored by recent studies. These studies reveal a growing emphasis on digitalization and share a common goal: proposing data-driven techniques to enhance and optimize conventional Value Stream Management struggling to adapt in rapidly changing environments. By the present paper, a digital Value Stream Map according to the Digital Twin (DT) concept is investigated. This Digital Value Stream Twin (DVST) is based on the orchestration of multiple DT, representing core elements of Value Stream Management such as material flowing through the value stream and related resources. Overcoming the fixed structure of the automation pyramid, business application systems and machine signals are merged as data sources into one model, verified by a business scenario, mainly carried out in an SAP S4/HANA (ERP - enterprise resource planning) test environment. In this context, the present study is built upon a validation using a digital value stream model according to the Digital Shadow (DS) approach. Conceptually, the expansion of the DS into a DT is described. From this, potentials regarding the value stream method are derived and investigated.