Value Stream Mapping
LEAN AND CLEAN VALUE STREAM MAPPING
Value stream mapping is a Lean process-mapping method for understanding the sequence of activities used to produce a product. During the Green Suppliers Network technical review, you will use value stream mapping to identify sources of non-value added time or materials; identify opportunities to increase efficiency; and develop a plan for implementing improvements. Value stream maps serve as a critical tool during the review process and can reveal substantial opportunities to reduce costs, improve production flow, save time, reduce inventory, and improve environmental performance. Conventional value stream mapping can overlook environmental wastes, such as: • • • Energy, water, or raw materials used in excess of what is needed to meet consumer needs Pollutants and material wastes released into the environment, such as air emissions, wastewater discharges, hazardous wastes, and solid wastes (trash or discarded scrap) Hazardous substances that adversely affect human health or the environment during their use in production or presence in products.
The Green Suppliers Network incorporates both “lean and clean” elements into its mapping techniques to help you: • • • • Recognize where environmental impacts occur in a product line. Quantify raw materials used by processes and compare it to materials actually needed to produce the product. Identify pollution and wastes generated by the production activities. Identify root causes of wastes and inefficiencies.
VALUE STREAM MAPPING TECHNIQUES Use Icons There are a number of common icons used in value stream maps, but icons can also be customized to best serve a value stream map. Icons help distinguish different elements of a product line from another. For example, different arrows should be used to distinguish between product and information movement. The figure below contains commonly used icons in value stream mapping.
COMMON ICONS FOR VALUE STREAM MAPPING Process
Input Output
Value stream mapping is a Lean process-mapping method for understanding the sequence of activities used to produce a product. During the Green Suppliers Network technical review, you will use value stream mapping to identify sources of non-value added time or materials; identify opportunities to increase efficiency; and develop a plan for implementing improvements. Value stream maps serve as a critical tool during the review process and can reveal substantial opportunities to reduce costs, improve production flow, save time, reduce inventory, and improve environmental performance. Conventional value stream mapping can overlook environmental wastes, such as: • • • Energy, water, or raw materials used in excess of what is needed to meet consumer needs Pollutants and material wastes released into the environment, such as air emissions, wastewater discharges, hazardous wastes, and solid wastes (trash or discarded scrap) Hazardous substances that adversely affect human health or the environment during their use in production or presence in products.
The Green Suppliers Network incorporates both “lean and clean” elements into its mapping techniques to help you: • • • • Recognize where environmental impacts occur in a product line. Quantify raw materials used by processes and compare it to materials actually needed to produce the product. Identify pollution and wastes generated by the production activities. Identify root causes of wastes and inefficiencies.
VALUE STREAM MAPPING TECHNIQUES Use Icons There are a number of common icons used in value stream maps, but icons can also be customized to best serve a value stream map. Icons help distinguish different elements of a product line from another. For example, different arrows should be used to distinguish between product and information movement. The figure below contains commonly used icons in value stream mapping.
COMMON ICONS FOR VALUE STREAM MAPPING Process
Input Output