What's your value stream mapping process for eliminating non-value-added activities?

1 Define the scope and goals

Before you start mapping, you need to define the scope and goals of your VSM project. What is the process or product that you want to improve? Who are the customers and stakeholders involved? What are their needs and expectations? What are the metrics and indicators that you will use to measure the current and future performance? How will you communicate and implement the changes? By answering these questions, you will have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and how you will measure success.

2 Map the current state

The next step is to map the current state of your process or product, from the beginning to the end. You can use a standard VSM template or create your own, using symbols and icons to represent the different elements, such as inputs, outputs, activities, flows, inventories, delays, and information. You can also use data boxes to record relevant information, such as cycle time, lead time, quality, cost, and value-added ratio. To collect the data, you can observe the process, interview the people involved, review the documents and records, and use tools such as time studies, check sheets, or flow charts. The goal is to capture the reality of your current state, not the ideal or desired one.

3 Identify the waste and opportunities

Once you have mapped the current state, you can identify the waste and opportunities for improvement. Waste is anything that does not add value to the customer or the process, and can be classified into seven types: overproduction, inventory, motion, waiting, transportation, overprocessing, and defects. You can use a waste analysis worksheet or a Pareto chart to prioritize the most significant sources of waste and quantify their impact. You can also use tools such as root cause analysis, fishbone diagrams, or 5 whys to find out the underlying causes of the waste and the potential solutions.

4 Map the future state

Based on the waste analysis and the root cause analysis, you can map the future state of your process or product, incorporating the solutions and improvements that you have identified. You can use the same template and symbols as the current state, but with modifications and additions that reflect the changes. For example, you can eliminate or combine activities, reduce inventories or delays, improve flows or information, implement quality controls or error-proofing methods, or introduce automation or standardization. The goal is to create a future state that delivers more value to the customer and the process, with less waste and more efficiency.

5 Develop an action plan

The final step is to develop an action plan to implement the future state and monitor the results. You can use a VSM action plan template or a Gantt chart to specify the tasks, responsibilities, resources, deadlines, and milestones for each improvement. You can also use a VSM communication plan template or a stakeholder analysis matrix to identify the key people and groups that need to be informed, involved, or consulted throughout the implementation. The goal is to ensure that the changes are executed smoothly and effectively, and that the benefits are sustained and verified.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?