---
title: Value Stream Mapping
description: In an increasingly competitive business world, Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is emerging as an essential tool for optimizing processes and increasing productivity. Learn how this technique can transform your business.
---

[Knowledge ](https://www.auxiell.com/en/knowledgebase)

# [Value Stream Mapping](https://www.auxiell.com/en/knowledgebase/value-stream-mapping)

 Written by [Auxiell](https://www.auxiell.com/en/knowledgebase/author/auxiell) | Jun 19, 2025 2:04:39 PM

 

**Value Stream Mapping (VSM)** is a Lean technique for visualising and describing, through standardised language and specific icons, the activities of a process and its logic of operation. It consists of three key elements: the **operational stream**, the **information stream**, and the **timeline**. 

The **operational flow** represents the path of materials from raw materials to finished product, including suppliers, customers, inventory, and the operations performed. The **information flow**, on the other hand, shows how information – whether physical or electronic – is transmitted and processed within the process. 

The **timeline** provides a temporal view of activities, highlighting cycle times, waiting periods, and bottlenecks. By using the timeline, it becomes possible to distinguish actual processing time from waiting time, thereby determining the **lead time** and **flow index of** the analysed process. 

**VSM** is an essential tool for both analysing and redesigning processes, as it enables organisations to: 

- Visualise the connections between different operational and informational steps; 

- Measure process performance by highlighting lead time; 

- Identify inefficiencies and waste; 

- Design improvement scenarios to optimise flow and increase customer value. 

## Application of Value Stream Mapping

The technique is typically applied though the following steps:

 

**1. Identification of the process to be mapped**

The analysis begins with the use of **group technology** to classify product families and their associated macro-processes. The next step is to define the scope of the analysis – whether to map the entire supply chain or limit to the internal flow within the company (door-to-door). 

### **2. Creation of the Current State Map and waste analysis**

Once the boundaries of the mapping are defined, the current state of the process is represented through the **Current State Map**, which includes: 

- Identification of process demand; 

- Mapping of operational steps, inventories, and external suppliers; 

- Graphical representation of material flows, handling methods, and information flows; 

- Inclusion of the **timeline**, highlighting lead times and bottlenecks. 

During this phase, **waste (**[**muda**](https://www.auxiell.com/knowledge/muda-muri-mura)**)** is also identified and represented using dedicated symbology. These wastes are then analysed through **muda analysis**, which helps trace them back to their **root causes**. This step is crucial for identifying systemic inefficiencies and developing targeted actions to eliminate or reduce them. 

### **3. Designing the Future State Map**

Insights gained from the **Current State Map** and **muda analysis** form the basis for designing the **Future State Map**, representing an optimised vision of the process. Multiple scenarios are typically developed, including **blue sky** solutions (theoretically ideal but difficult to implement), which serve as long-term improvement references. 

### **4. Definition of the action plan**

The final step is to translate the proposed solutions into a **concrete action plan**, which includes: 

- The specific tasks to be implemented; 

- The actions required to eliminate or reduce the root causes of waste; 

- Timelines and assigned responsibilities for implementing the changes. 

The objective is to turn the vision of the **Future State Map** into an operational reality, ensuring a more efficient, value-driven, and waste-free process. 

  

You can find practical examples of this technique in our [**Case Histories**](https://www.auxiell.com/en/portfolio)! 

[View full post](https://www.auxiell.com/en/knowledgebase/value-stream-mapping)

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