Top 10 benefits of Value Stream Mapping
Value stream mapping is often used at the outset of a lean program to identify the current process within an organization. Strictly speaking Value stream mapping is used to map information and materials through a production process – but it can be used for so much more than simply transcribing the process. So what are it’s benefits?
1/ It’s quick and easy to learn
2/ It helps portray the process from the start of the production process to the end
3/ It help finds bottlenecks
4/ It helps find waste within the process
5/ It’s a group excersise and therefore can involve your workforce as part of your lean improvement program
6/ You can use a completed value stream map as an improvement aide to document transitions to a future state value stream map
7/ Its an inexpensive tool – all you need is a paper and pen!
8/ It can be easily critiqued by your workforce (using post it notes) to highlight problems that exist within the process
9/ It’s not just for manufacturing! Value stream mapping has been used in offices, service industries healthcare etc.
10/ It’s easy to understand – With a little bit of training on VSM icons – maps are easy to understand conveying powerfull process in a simple pictorial fashion.
