Finding Your Way Through Data with Value Streams

The more data and services combined in a platform, the more essential it is to understand how all those elements work together across the library. Creating a value stream allows organizations to visualize and refine how a sequence of activities and disparate functions deliver the required user experience. Without this holistic knowledge, it is too easy to lose sight of the big picture in making decisions about how to deliver services. In this presentation, we will demonstrate how a cross-functional Alma and Primo administrative team refined user roles profiles for administrators, functional experts, and other users such as selectors. Prior to our refinement, there were too many gaps in knowledge- and process-related areas, including Primo data consolidation, enhancement, and e-resource management. By moving our model from managing “systems” to managing “processes,” we can take better advantage of the Alma environment. Our presentation will provide examples of how we utilized an existing collaborative team structure to define and create a value stream, as well as visualize high-level workflows. This allowed us to evaluate roles and job responsibilities, and then establish clear procedures for connecting individual responsibilities with both relevant Alma/Primo access privileges and guided training materials. Key takeaways for attendees will be to understand how the concept of a value stream applies to library resources management, adopt the strategies to perform full or partial workflow analysis in their local environment, make connections with the delivery value/user experience, and identify areas for further improvements.