What does value stream mapping aim to represent?

Value stream mapping aims to represent the sequence of activities required to deliver a product or service, emphasizing the flow of information and materials in the process. It visually diagrams the steps involved, identifying value-added and non-value-added activities to improve efficiency and eliminate waste. By focusing on how each activity contributes to delivering value to the customer, organizations can better understand their processes and enhance performance.

In this context, the emphasis of a value stream map on the time and activities necessary to create a product or service makes it a crucial tool for process improvement. This allows teams to pinpoint bottlenecks, redundancies, and opportunities for optimization, ultimately leading to a smoother workflow and increased value delivery.