Value-stream mapping

Value-stream mapping usually employs standard symbols to represent items and processes, therefore knowledge of these symbols is essential to correctly interpret the production system problems.

Value-stream mapping, also known as material- and information-flow mapping,[1] is a lean[2]-management method for analyzing the current state and designing a future state for the series of events that take a product or service from the beginning of the specific process until it reaches the customer. A value stream map is a visual[2] tool that displays all critical steps in a specific process and easily quantifies the time and volume taken at each stage. Value stream maps show the flow of both materials and information as they progress through the process.[3]

Whereas a value stream map represents a core business process that adds value to a material product, a value chain diagram shows an overview of all activities within a company.[3] Other business activities may be represented in "value stream diagrams" and/or other kinds of diagram that represent business processes that create and use business data.

  1. ^ Manos, Tony (June 2006). "Value Stream Mapping—an Introduction". Quality Progress. American Society for Quality. p. 64 – via University of Washington.
  2. ^ a b Project Management Institute 2021, §4.6.6 Focus on Value.
  3. ^ a b Rother, Mike; Shook, John (1999). Learning to See: value-stream mapping to create value and eliminate muda. Brookline, Massachusetts: Lean Enterprise Institute. ISBN 0-9667843-0-8.