ABSTRACT
An accurate value stream map (VSM) can provide three valuable functions: bringing a higher level of clarity on how the process is currently performing and why; highlighting areas where improvement should be made; and providing a template for documenting the ideal future state. Several “lenses” can be used to read the current state VSM. The VSM indicates that there are no bottlenecks in the process: all process steps have utilizations of less than 100 percent. The chapter shows that the information flow portion of the VSM led to a better understanding of why the raw material inventory is so high. Many of the things to be learned from the information flow are triggered by trying to understand reasons for waste in the material flow. Sometimes with complex planning and scheduling processes, the information flow portion of the VSM will not allow for diagnosis of root causes of flow problems, or even show all the waste in the information handling processes.
