Value stream mapping: Examples, process, template, and symbols

Value stream mapping (VSM) is a lean tool utilized across various industries to enhance process efficiency by visualizing and analyzing the steps required to bring a product or service to market. It identifies waste and reduces process cycle times to create more customer value while improving overall efficiency. Originating from Toyota's practices and popularized by authors Womack, Jones, and Roos, VSM is integral to Six Sigma methodologies. It provides product managers with increased process visibility, waste reduction, faster time-to-market, and improved stakeholder collaboration, ultimately leading to enhanced customer satisfaction. VSM is applied in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and software development to optimize workflows and resource allocation. The process involves mapping current steps, analyzing workflows, proposing improvements, and implementing changes, using standardized symbols for documentation. The primary goal is to distinguish between value-adding and non-value-adding activities, ensuring efficiency and quality.