Value Stream Mapping
Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is a lean technique that visually maps all the steps in a process from concept to delivery, identifying value-adding and non-value-adding activities to eliminate waste.
Explanation
A value stream map shows every step a work item goes through, including processing times, wait times, and handoffs. By visualizing the entire flow, teams can identify where delays, bottlenecks, and waste occur. The map distinguishes between value-adding steps (those the customer would pay for) and non-value-adding steps (waste).
The typical process for value stream mapping involves documenting the current state, identifying waste and opportunities for improvement, designing a future state map, and creating an implementation plan to move from current to future state. The ratio of value-adding time to total lead time (called process cycle efficiency) often reveals that a large percentage of total time is spent waiting rather than working.
Value stream mapping is used at the organizational level to improve end-to-end delivery. It complements agile practices by helping organizations identify systemic improvements beyond what a single team can address, such as approval processes, handoffs between departments, and deployment bottlenecks.
Key Points
- •Visualizes every step from concept to delivery
- •Identifies value-adding versus non-value-adding activities
- •Measures process cycle efficiency (value-add time divided by total lead time)
- •Used to design a future state with reduced waste
Exam Tip
Value stream mapping is a lean tool used to identify waste across the entire delivery process. It is not specific to a single team or sprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
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Continuous Integration
Continuous Integration (CI) is the practice of frequently merging code changes into a shared repository, where automated builds and tests verify each integration to detect problems early.
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