Value Stream Mapping (VSM) - Value Stream Mapping Symbols, Steps, Examples, a...

Page 1 of 8

Value Stream Map

(VSM)
1. WHAT IS VALUE STREAM MAPPING?

2. VALUE STREAM MAPPING STEPS

3. VALUE STREAM MAPPING SYMBOLS

4. HOW TO MAKE A VALUE STREAM MAP

5. LEAN

6. VALUE STREAM MAPPING EXAMPLES

What is Value Stream Mapping

(VSM)
A value stream map illustrates the flow of materials and information from
supplier to customer. Value stream mapping (VSM) is a lean manufacturing
technique used to analyze, design, and manage the flow of materials and
information required to bring a product to a customer. VSM helps identify
waste and streamline the production process.

Value Stream Mapping Steps

https://www.smartdraw.com/value-stream-map/ 11/6/2018
Value Stream Mapping (VSM) - Value Stream Mapping Symbols, Steps, Examples, a... Page 2 of 8

The first step in value stream mapping is to create a current state map. This
map can help identify waste such as delays, restrictions, inefficiencies, and
excess inventories. These are then eliminated in the ideal state map, which
gives the organization a working plan to achieve lean efficiency.

Value stream maps are most commonly used in lean manufacturing, but
identifying the value stream—the sequence of activities required to design,
produce, or provide goods and services to customers—is a beneficial
practice for any company in any industry. Value stream maps are used in
healthcare, software development, supply chain logistics, even government
and service industries. Regardless of industry, the main goal of a value
stream map is to visually record information such as:

• Work and wait times along each step in a process

• Labor needs at individual work steps, including the identification of
overtime, if necessary
• Error rates at individual work steps
• Downtime at individual work steps
• Inventory excess or shortfall
• Production or process delays

Value Stream Mapping Symbols

and Components
A value stream map is made up of a three distinct looking parts: a process
map, a corresponding timeline and information flow. The process map is
comprised of the steps and the information associated with the steps of
your process. The timeline automatically builds from the process map and
calculates the data entered. The information flow further explains the
interaction and activity between the stations of your value chain.

https://www.smartdraw.com/value-stream-map/ 11/6/2018
Value Stream Mapping (VSM) - Value Stream Mapping Symbols, Steps, Examples, a... Page 3 of 8

There's usually also a box in the upper left corner of any value stream map
that lists the constants of the value stream map. You add the Demand, the
units per day that must be produced for instance, and the Hours, the time
available to get the work done, and the Takt, the rhythm required to do the
work, is automatically calculated for you.

Value stream mapping uses a set of unique symbols to visualize a process.

Process. A process is represented with a rectangle and the word

"Process". To make the value stream map more readable, a process will
often represented the collective processes of an entire department.

Inventory. A triangle with an "I" inside represents the exchange of inventory

during the process.

Shipment. A shipment of raw materials from suppliers are represented with

blank wide arrows. A pushing of materials from one step in the process to
another is usually marked with a black arrow with three white squares
inside. Shipments made using external suppliers is represented with a truck
or another vehicle where applicable such as boat or train.

Supplier and Customer. Suppliers and customers share the same symbol
that looks like an abstract, geometric representation of a factory. A supplier
usually will mark the beginning of a process and will be found to the left of
the value stream, while a customer is often found as the last step, to the far
right of the value stream map.

https://www.smartdraw.com/value-stream-map/ 11/6/2018
Value Stream Mapping (VSM) - Value Stream Mapping Symbols, Steps, Examples, a... Page 4 of 8

Electronic flow. A line with a zig-zag in the middle refers to electronic

information and data exchanges. While a lot of value stream mapping
focuses on raw materials and products, electronic exchanges should also
be examined because they can be the root of delays and waste.

Kaizen burst. A Kaizen burst, also known as a Kaizen blitz, refers to a

short burst of activity that solves a problem with intensity and urgency.
Appropriately, it's represented with what looks like a cartoon explosion.

Go see. A go see refers to confirming something visually during the process

and it's often represented with a pair of glasses.

Quality. A quality problem anywhere along the chain can be marked with
an octagon, like a STOP sign, with the letter Q inside.

How to Make a Value Stream

Map
Start by mapping the current state. This map illustrates working on and
completing a specific product (or project). View it as a high-level look at the
flow of work for that project. Value stream maps do not consider the amount
of time people are working on different projects outside of the one focused

https://www.smartdraw.com/value-stream-map/ 11/6/2018
Value Stream Mapping (VSM) - Value Stream Mapping Symbols, Steps, Examples, a... Page 5 of 8

within the value stream map. With that in mind, there is no single way to
create a value stream map but there are generally six steps to follow. What
we are after is current information, not historical data.

1. Identify the product or process. That is, what is it that you wish to map?
If multiple products are involved, you may want to start with those with
the highest value, volume, or potential.
2. Define the scope of the mapping project. Most value stream maps follow
the production process from supplier to customer. Some map the supply
chain, which would continue upstream to raw materials.
3. Map the process steps. This may take some time and will certainly
require "working the floor." Some document the process from customer
back to supplier, others go from start to finish. We are not breaking
down tasks; these are the major steps in the operations performed on
the product.
4. Include information flow. How does communication flow during the
order, production, and delivery steps?
5. Collect process data. This will require some effort to develop a clear
understanding of important aspects of each step in the process. Some
of the data needed may include:
◦ Inventory
◦ Cycle time (how long it takes to make one unit of product)
◦ Actual work time versus unused/wait time (including number of
operators, shifts, etc.)
◦ Machine uptime and downtime
◦ Unnecessary movement (of items, material, and workers), scrap
rate, etc.

https://www.smartdraw.com/value-stream-map/ 11/6/2018
Value Stream Mapping (VSM) - Value Stream Mapping Symbols, Steps, Examples, a... Page 6 of 8

6. Create a time line. This information tells us about total process time,
inventory demands, and total lead time. This usually shows how lead
times may be considerably longer than processing times, indicating how
much waste exists in the system.

Two ways to get started

Use the online edition of SmartDraw on

any computer or tablet

Start Now

Download the Windows desktop edition of

SmartDraw

Download

Evaluation of the Current State

and Creating the Ideal State Map
The current state map provides a starting point for applying lean principles
to improve the system. This may involve:

• Reducing excess inventory

• Improving cycle time
• Reducing equipment downtime
• Improving quality, reducing errors, and focusing on delivering what
the customer wants when he/she wants it

https://www.smartdraw.com/value-stream-map/ 11/6/2018
Value Stream Mapping (VSM) - Value Stream Mapping Symbols, Steps, Examples, a... Page 7 of 8

Once the desired improvements are identified, create the ideal state VSM.
Identify improvement areas by using the kaizen burst symbol on the map.

Don't expect your "ideal state" map to be ideal on the first attempt. As with
the entire process, it will need to go through iteration and improvement as
well.

Value Stream Mapping Examples

The best way to understand value stream maps is to look at some
examples of value stream maps.

Click on any of these value stream maps included in SmartDraw and edit
them:

Couch Assembly Value Stream Map

Value Stream Map Template

Browse SmartDraw's entire collection of value stream map examples and

templates

https://www.smartdraw.com/value-stream-map/ 11/6/2018
Value Stream Mapping (VSM) - Value Stream Mapping Symbols, Steps, Examples, a... Page 8 of 8

More info
• Value stream mapping software
• Value stream mapping template
• Kanban boards

• Cause and effect

• Lean diagram software
• Piping diagram software
• Visio® for Mac

https://www.smartdraw.com/value-stream-map/ 11/6/2018