For seldom-used, on-demand-type value streams that operate almost randomly
in a low-volume setting, there is little chance for creating continuous flow.
Because many of these low-volume value streams are operated by a single person
from start to finish, it is also impossible to use the concept of one-piece flow
as it is used in high-volume production settings. But not being able to use the
concepts as presented in high-volume production environments does not mean
you cannot create flow. It merely means that the way you set up the future state
may require thinking outside the box. If the current-state batches work throughout
the process in an attempt to “take advantage of employees’ time,” there are
simple ways to create flow—not continuous, but at least synchronous