Value Stream Mapping

A value stream is the sequence of activities that deliver a product or service to a customer. Value stream mapping maps out this sequence at a high level to capture not only the flow of physical materials but also the flow of information.

In a value stream mapping exercise a team meets for a day or less to map out and understand the steps and processes that comprise the current state. Next the team identifies areas of waste and improvement opportunities and creates an ideal of how the value stream should look. This ideal then serves as the goal and blueprint for future kaizen events.