Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is a tool used in lean manufacturing to look at and improve the flow of materials and information needed to get a product or service from the idea stage to the customer’s hands. It’s a visible tool that shows the different steps in a process, what goes in and what comes out at each step, and how much value is added or lost at each step.
The goal of Value Stream Mapping is to find ways to cut down on waste, improve speed, and make the product or service more valuable overall. The following steps make up the VSM process:
Mapping the current state: The team makes a picture of the process’s current state, noting all the steps, inputs, outputs, and activities that add value. The team also looks for any delays, bottlenecks, or waste in the process.
Analyzing the current state: The team looks at the current state to find ways to make it better, such as reducing wait times, reducing the amount of work that needs to be done over and over again, or increasing output.
Mapping the future state: The team makes a plan of the future state that shows how the process will move better, with less waste, delays, and bottlenecks.
Creating an action plan: To get to the future state, the team creates an action plan, which includes a list of growth projects in order of priority and a list of goals.
Value Stream Mapping helps businesses in a number of ways, such as:
Value Stream Mapping can help organisations simplify their processes and make them more efficient by finding and getting rid of waste.
Value Stream Mapping can help organisations improve the quality of their goods or services by cutting down on mistakes and extra work.
Reduced lead times: Value Stream Mapping can help organisations reduce lead times by getting rid of bottlenecks and delays. This makes them more sensitive to customer needs.
Value Stream planning can improve communication and teamwork between departments by involving cross-functional teams in the planning process. This helps people understand the whole process better.
Overall, Value Stream Mapping is a strong tool that can help organisations find ways to improve, organise their processes, and make their goods or services more valuable.
