Value stream mapping

One of the most powerful LEAN tools is the value stream map.  We tell our students that value-stream maps are similar to traditional flow charts but are unique in that value stream maps always depict the customer as well as time.

The power of value stream maps is they enable us to "see" the process. By "seeing" the process, we can see the process in all its glory and all its ugliness.  Waste (remember Tim Woods) becomes obvious.  If you've ever heard the saying "getting there is half the fun", that can apply to the process of creating a value stream map.  The process of value stream mapping creates a safe way of understanding the value stream in a non-defensive manner.  I've found that cross-functional teams that come together to create a current state value stream map often say things like "I never realized you had that problem".  Or "I thought you were doing ....".  The level of cross-functional understanding that comes from collaborating on a current state value stream map creates a degree of trust that is remarkable.

For those wanting to learn more about value stream mapping, I highly recommend "Learning to see" by Rother and Shook. 

Rother, M., & Shook, J. (2003). Learning to see: Lean Enterprise Institute.