Value-Stream Mapping
A simple diagram of every step involved in the material and information flows needed to bring a product from order to delivery.
Value-stream maps can be drawn for different points in time as a way to raise consciousness of opportunities for improvement (see illustrations below). A current-state map follows a product’s path from order to delivery to determine the current conditions. A futurestate map deploys the opportunities for improvement identified in the current-state map to achieve a higher level of performance at some future point.
In some cases, it may be appropriate to draw an ideal-state map showing the opportunities for improvement by employing all known lean methods including right-sized tools and value-stream compression.
Synonyms:
VSM
