VSM -Value Stream Mapping

Value Stream Mapping

What is Value Stream Mapping?

A map describing the flow of information and materials from supplier to customer end .It shows the current state and desired future state of processes and highlighting the gap and opportunities for improvement.

How does Value Stream Mapping help?

Exposes waste in the current processes and provides a roadmap for improvement through the future state.

What is (VSM), Benefits, 

Process and Value

To understand value stream mapping, we need to first understand what a “value stream” is. Simply put, a value stream is a series of steps that occur to provide the product or service that their customers want or need.Value stream mapping (VSM) provides us with a structured visualization of the key steps and corresponding data needed to understand and intelligently make improvements that optimize the entire process, not just one section at the expense of another.

 “Value stream mapping is a lean manufacturing or lean enterprise technique used to document, analyze and improve the flow of information or materials required to produce a product or service for a customer.”

Value stream maps can be created for every individual product and service for every type of business.The VSM enables the team and leadership to see where the actual value is being added in the process, allowing them to improve on the overall efficiency associated with the delivery of a product or feature request.

Terminology and symbols and what they mean

To start, each value stream map typically has three key sections.. These sections show Information Flow, Product Flow, and a Time Ladder or Lead Time Ladder.

Sections:

Information Flow

This section shows the communication of process-related information and the transmission of data. 

Product Flow

This section maps the steps of the development lifecycle from concept to delivery. 

Time Ladder

The Time Ladder provides a somewhat simplistic visual representation of the value stream timeline. 

Cycle time (C/T)

Is the frequency of units/features produced or the average time between the completed production of one unit/feature to the completed production of the next.

Setup Time (S/T)

Is the amount of time needed to prepare for a given step.

Uptime (%)

Gives you an idea of the percentage of the total time that the processes or systems are actually active. 

Lead Time

Is the measurement of the average amount of time needed for one feature request to make it through the entire development cycle concept to delivery, or from the beginning to ending fence post.

Takt Time

Is a term that is commonly used with value stream mapping. It refers to the rate at which you need to produce your products in order to meet customer demand. 

How will value stream mapping help?

 The VSM is also the most efficient way to record the current state of things. When making changes to the development cycle, creating a baseline, or Current State VSM for future comparison is the best way to go. This enables easy before-and-after comparisons of the performance data to determine if the changes made had the intended impact.

Who benefits from value stream mapping?

The real benefit to VSM is realized by the customer. The customer will experience a better-quality product, it will be delivered faster, and it will better meet their needs and expectations.