Value Stream Mapping As A Helpful Strategy In Waste Elimination

Value stream mapping is a strategic planning tool for visualizing and understanding the different processes used by an organization in order to identify which part contributes to waste, not always in the literal sense, but to any activity or process which does not add value or contribute to the improvement of the final output of production. This technique originated from the Toyota Company, which recognized the strategy as “Material and Information Flow Mapping”.

This process mapping strategy requires value adding steps to be drawn nearer to the middle of the map while the non-value adding steps are drawn in vertical lines at right angles to the value stream. These non-value adding steps are then considered as the preparatory stage for the value adding steps. Technically, the vertical line speaks about the person or workstation while the horizontal line speaks about the product being created.

Value stream mapping, as a tool for visually mapping the production path of a product, is considered a management strategy. It usually interests engineers, suppliers, associates, and schedulers who use the strategy to determine waste and at the same time identify its causes. This strategy enables users to map the product’s current state and at the same time plan and focus for its future state which they use as the blueprint for whatever plans the company has for a particular product.

VSM holds all the actions that are needed for the production flow of a product, including the design flow from concept to launch. The map provides the visual representation of every process in the material and information flow.

There are many uses of value stream mapping. It can be a communication tool, a business planning tool, or a tool that can help a company manage change processes. The initial step of value stream mapping is the gathering of information to represent the current state. Such information is then used to map the future state.

Value stream mapping is also applied in administrative areas as it can provide a simple and comprehensive methodology that uses relevant data analysis and display. It is found useful in linking reporting requirements, metrics, people, and other tools. It also clears communication pathways between managers, employees as well as customers. Manufacturing companies create value stream maps to identify waste in the manufacturing processes (and where that area is), and to help find ways to eliminate that waste.

Another sector that applies value stream mapping is the manufacturing sector which maximizes the capability of this technique by identifying where wastage commonly occur and then by applying waste manufacturing processes to eliminate such waste. Value stream mapping is also capable of showing where extra materials in the manufacturing are heading to and this technique can immediately warn the company to properly manage those extra materials. Materials are usually delivered to the company and they immediately go through the manufacturing process. The final product must then be delivered to the customers without delay and according to the desired quality. This can only be done through detailed and timely communication between the company and customers which is made possible through value stream mapping.