Value Stream Mapping (VSM)

Value Stream Mapping is a tool used to visually represent all elements (both value add and non-value add) of a production system that are required to transform raw material into finished goods that the customer wants. It is a representation of the flow of goods and information from the supplier to the customer through your organisation. The primary purpose of creating a value stream map is to design the future state. It is a visualisation exercise–a vision of the current state and the future state.

Why do Value Stream Mapping?

Value Stream Mapping is an effective visual tool to help people see the entire production system and at the same time establish a common language in which to discuss the system. It clearly shows all activities required to fulfil a customer order and visibly identifies waste within the system. VSM allows the team to see the whole picture so they can begin to construct a Lean Transformation Plan that is both holistic and comprehensive.
In Lean, Value stream mapping is a tool of significant importance for achieving continuous improvement of the way you work and should guide the use of all the other lean tools.