Value Stream Mapping

Value stream mapping is defined as visual diagram that represent the activities that occur to produce a product or service through the design, source, make, and deliver functions.

it is a tool that is utilized to graphically represent the current state of a process. Icons are used to show the sequence of materials, processes, and information for the specific process.

Creating a value stream is the first step required in any lean improvement initiative.

It has two main components:

The first component is the flow of materials through transformation processes to produce the finished goods or services.

The second component is the flow of information to support the transformation process for the finished goods or services.

The benefits of value stream map are limited if information flows are not included in constructing the map.

It is critical that the current map be documented so that waste can be correctly identified in the map and a future state determined to eliminate non-value-adding wastes.

An example of a process map for blood bank operations is shown below.

Developing a visual high-level map of a value stream by itself is not enough to minimize waste. It must be combined with the lean principles and lean tools to truly transform the enterprise and achieve improvement in the value-added content of specific core value streams for the enterprise.

Value stream map is only a tool, and the objective is to enhance the value stream by identifying a future state and creating an implementation road map that can be executed to achieve the future state.

It is not uncommon for a specific value stream to yield 5% value-added content to 95% non-value-added content.

Think about the opportunities that exist to drive out waste for a value stream and the significant positive impact on the financial performance for the enterprise and all stake-holders.

After you create value stream map you will be able to :

• Allows a graphic visualization of the entire material and information flow for the current-state value stream.

• Shows linkages and connections between information flow and material flow.

• Identifies sources of waste in the value stream.

• Provides common language for talking about the processes.

• Makes decisions about the flow apparent.

• Forms the basis of an implementation plan to identify and eliminate wastes.

• Allows identification of non-value-added steps, lead time, distances traveled, and amount of inventory for a process.

• Provides a common language for discussing the future-state value stream and identifying gaps between the current state and future state.