Value Stream Mapping
Value Stream Mapping is a lean-management method for analysing the current state aof a series of events that take a product or service from its beginning through to the customer.
Goal
To identify and eliminate waste in processes, thereby increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of both the development and delivery of products and services.
Context
Every process has a bottleneck; the point at which the flow of work is impeded. Any improvements outside of the bottleneck will actually slow down the process as a whole. Therefore it is critical to identify where the bottleneck is and focus improvement efforts there. Value Stream Mapping helps people to identify where the bottleneck is and what can be done to improve it.
Inputs
| Artifact | Description |
|---|---|
| Process Measurements | Data on the time, resources, and effort required for each step in the process. |
Outputs
| Artifact | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Value Stream Map | A visual representation of the process flow, including key steps, timeframes, and resources. | Provides a clear picture of the current process and identifies areas for improvement. |
Anti-patterns
- Overcomplication: adding too much detail into the process flow making it hard to read and understand the map.
- Isolated Mapping: A process flow covers multiple teams so everyone should be involved to ensure that the data captured is accurate and you correctly identify the bottleneck.