E3 Value Stream Mapping How-to Guide
Unfamiliar with value stream mapping? If so, view these presentations to learn about how it works with these Lean and Environment Training Modules
Value stream mapping (VSM) serves as a critical tool during the assessment process and can reveal substantial opportunities to reduce costs, enhance production flow, save time, reduce inventory, and improve environmental performance.
The assessment team leads a collaborative effort to create a current state VSM of the identified product or process line. The map should examine areas that offer the greatest potential for lean and green improvement such as: inventory, inputs, outputs, wastes, non-value-added steps, worker safety issues, energy consumptions, bottlenecks and rework.
Once the current state VSM is completed, the assessment team then creates a future state map of the identified product or process line that includes lean and green improvement recommendations made by the group. The team assumes a future state map is not limited by capital restraints; it should represent a fully optimized line in its ideal state.
