Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is a powerful tool at the core of Lean improvement strategies, designed to streamline processes, reduce lead times, and expedite time-to-market. By visualizing the entire value stream, VSM exposes inefficiencies and wastes that disrupt the flow of products and resources, ultimately affecting the value chain and leading to underutilization of manufacturing capacity. While VSM focuses on the flow of materials and information, it intentionally excludes individual performance, focusing solely on process optimization and system improvements.
This program is designed to equip participants with the essential knowledge and practical techniques to "see the flow" of materials and information within their current state. By learning to identify roadblocks and inefficiencies, participants will gain the ability to pinpoint disruptions that slow down the overall process and hinder optimal performance. The goal is to help professionals recognize where value is being added and where waste is occurring, ultimately enabling better decision-making to enhance efficiency.
VSM serves as a crucial starting point for various stakeholders, including management, engineers, and production associates, to recognize and address waste within their processes. The insights gained through VSM highlight the gaps between the current state and the desired future state, offering a clear roadmap for reaching organizational goals. These goals might include reducing lead times, improving workflow balance, minimizing space requirements, and decreasing Work In Progress (WIP).
In essence, VSM provides a holistic view of the process, capturing all actions—both value-added and non-value-added—that are required to move a product from raw materials receipt to final delivery. The tool helps teams design a new, more efficient path by eliminating waste, improving flow, and aligning efforts with the organization's core objectives for continuous improvement. By the end of the program, participants will be equipped to lead VSM initiatives and create actionable plans that drive meaningful improvements across manufacturing operations.
Target Audience
- Operations & Production Leaders
- Process Improvement & Lean Practitioners
- Industrial & Manufacturing Engineers
- Supply Chain & Logistics Professionals
- Supervisors & Team Leads
- Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement Teams
- Executives & Decision-Makers
