10 Free Value Stream Map Templates – Word, Excel
A value stream map visualizes the steps needed to transform a request into a service or a good. It shows a product’s path of production, starting with a supplier and ending with a customer.
VSM VS Process Map
Value stream amp provides an overview of the delivery of your organizational value and sets the ground for managing the value stream. On the other hand, a process map is used by engineering teams and offers insights into every process, optimizing organizations’ existing operations.
Segments of a Value Stream Map
There are three segments of the value stream map.
- Process or production flow: In the process or production flow, the flow is drawn from left to right, including parallel and subtasks. This makes it easier to identify the main tasks occurring frequently throughout the process.
- Communication or information flow: The communication or information flow shows communications within the value stream. Communication does not follow a standard and can occur in any direction.
- Travel distances and timelines: Timelines are set at the bottom of the map. It sets the lines to communicate the time-related measurement of data in process improvement. The line placed at the bottom shows the travel distance through the process.
Value Stream Map Template Word
Value Stream Map Template Excel
Value Stream Map Template PowerPoint
Benefits of Value Stream Map
A value stream map is an effective tool for evaluating work processes and business. It is beneficial to organizations of all extents. Some of the benefits of the VSM are
- They provide an insight into the perspective of the customer
- They serve as a language that examines and observes the stream
- They help with the detection of inefficiencies in processes
- They help employees develop an understanding of the work system
- They serve as a tool to improve production workflows
Value Stream Map Online Tools
1. Creately
Using the Creately Value Stream Map template, visualize the important steps of specific processes and easily quantify the volume and time taken by each step.
2. Lucidchart
The Lucidchart value stream map template can help analyse and illustrate the steps for producing products or delivering services, achieving higher efficiency levels.
3. Miro
The Miro value stream mapping template helps you understand repeatable processes and allows for optimization according to your needs.
Visual Stream Map Analysis and Best Practices
The VSM can be split into four stages, which are described below.
1. Preparation
This is a crucial first step to successfully implementing the map. A competent team is gathered in this step, which comprises cross-functional team members and a manager to set guidelines.
During this period, the manager and the team should identify the objectives, prepare plans, and measure the scope of any events the team might encounter.
2. Current State Map
The current state map helps discover wasteful and ineffective practices in the existing system and find methods to eliminate them. It needs information gathering, and to gather information, you’ll need to walk down the product path and travel through the factory.
3. Future State Map
The next step is to draw a map of the future state. While you draw the current state map, you must have identified the areas of waste and overproduction in the current system.
4. Planning and Implementation
The final step is implementing the ideal production path and creating an action plan. The best way is to break down the future state map and proceed with implementing changes.
Value Stream Map FAQs
In which situation would you use a value stream map?
VSM can be used to optimize a process, especially with repeatable steps and multiple handoffs.
What are the limitations of value stream mapping?
VSM might fail when multiple products have no identical material flow map. It lacks value in economic measures, i.e., operating costs, profit, and inventory expenses.
How does value stream mapping reduce the lead time?
The VSM acts as a lean tool and uncovers waste in the production and supply process by separating value-added and non-value-added steps and reducing non-value-added steps.
Is value stream mapping continuous improvement?
The goal of VSM is to continuously improve processes and positively impact profits. Process improvements combine inefficiencies and cost reductions to improve the organization’s bottom line.
