VSM Tool
Value stream mapping (VSM) is a lean manufacturing tool related to analyzing the delivery process of a product or a service. It is used by organizations to visualize the entire process and implement an in-depth analysis of the process to detect areas that should be improved. VSM helps to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks to eliminate them and deliver the best quality product to the customer. The overproduction, unnecessary processing, long waiting, and other inefficiencies and unnecessary steps belong to the waste in the manufacturing process.
VSM is a way to visualize the key steps and structure data in order to improve and optimize the entire process. Creating a detailed map of workflow with all important business process stages, which add value to a product or service, and all critical stages in your process is a key task of value stream mapping. VSM tool helps to streamline your work, improve your efficiency and customer satisfaction. It is efficient in finding opportunities for improvement. Additionally, it can help organizations to better assess the impact of changes in the process and identify more ways for continuous improvement.
Being developed as a manufacturing technique, since the 1990s, value stream mapping has gained popularity also in other fields, such as IT, logistics, banking, education, healthcare, and many other industries. It is successfully applied and brings value to software development, procurement, insurance, service industries, etc. Being used in pharma and healthcare, VSM helps to map the patient flow and improve patient care, identify the bottlenecks in this process, enhance staff productivity, reduce the patients waiting time, and improve the results of patients' treatment. Value stream mapping in logistics helps to reduce waste, eliminate overstocking or unnecessary transportation, detect points where process costly delays occur. VSM in software development helps to quantify the value of steps in this process, improve cross-team communication, and detect inefficiencies like delays in different stages, complex approval processes, etc. Value stream mapping in service industries helps to map the flow of products, services, and information, and analyze data to improve customer service.
Usually, three types of Value Stream Maps are created: current state VSM, ideal state VSM, and future state VSM. An entire sequence of steps is usually required to pass from the current state to the ideal state. The action plan to improve the process flow, operations visibility, and control is developed. The improved collaboration within a team and visualization of processes help eliminate causes of inefficiencies, weak links, reduce defects, and other problems, improve cycle times, and contribute to the team’s work progress.
The realization of a scheduled action plan for standardizing and improving processes is a sure way to achieve the ideal state. From this position, a Kanban board is often useful to implement value stream mapping. It helps to compare the Requested, In Progress, and Completed stages, monitor the performance, and assess progress continuously.
Example 1. VSM Tool — Value Stream Mapping Solution
VSM is perfect for complex processes, helps to make the overview of the entire process to easier understanding, make focus on valuable tasks and objectives. When several value streams exist within a company, it is useful to construct separate Value Stream Maps for each company's product or service with accounting the specific aspects.
ConceptDraw DIAGRAM vector drawing and design software extended with the Value Stream Mapping solution is a powerful VSM tool for qualitative value stream mapping. It includes samples, the quick-start VSM template, and the Value Stream Mapping library with a large set of predesigned vector elements. The ConceptDraw's Value Stream Mapping solution helps succeed in manufacturing, business improvement, and keeping competitive in the market.
Example 2. Value Stream Mapping Library Design Elements
The VSM sample you see on this page was created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software using the drawing tools of the Value Stream Mapping Solution. The examples successfully demonstrate solution's capabilities and the professional results you can achieve using it. An experienced user spent 10 minutes creating each of these samples.
Use the powerful tools of the Value Stream Mapping solution to design your own music sheets for piano quick, easy, and effective.
All source documents are vector graphic documents. They are available for reviewing, modifying, or converting to a variety of formats (PDF file, MS PowerPoint, MS Visio, and many other graphic formats) from the ConceptDraw STORE. The Value Stream Mapping Solution is available for ConceptDraw DIAGRAM users.
