Lean Tools - Value Stream Mapping (VSM)

Purpose:

•        Value stream mapping is used to identify the value added / Non value added tasks in a process

•        Value is defined with respect to the end user only

•        Special type of flow chart with additional symbols to represent the waste/ flow / information

•        Overall objective of VSM analysis to reduce the contribution of non-value added activities in the process from the customer point of view

Steps

•        Identify the team and the process to be studied for the VSM

•        Define the process workflow (As is process map) using the predefined symbols used in VSM

•        Calculate the takt time, work time and lead time  (i.e., lead time includes work time + delay)

•        Classify / identify the non-value adds i.e., waste in the process

•        Define the future value stream map (to be process map)

•        Identify the actions necessary to remove/reduce the waste towards future VSM

Tips

•        Value should be always categorized from the end user/ customer point of view only

•        Identify even a small step that can be done while defining the as is process

Example: Below workflow shows the common process followed for resolving a ticket from the issue reported to issue resolved. Even though this process at high level is same but for a few types of issues the end to end cycle time is high.