Miguel Dias

What is Value Stream Mapping?

Overview Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is designed to help teams achieve a specific business outcome by improving work processes.

In a series of group mapping activities, teams visualize the flow of work from start to finish, identify inefficiencies, delays, and waste. The team uses what they’ve learned to create a roadmap of measurable improvement actions, in service of delivering more value to the customer.

Originally developed at Toyota in the 1940s, VSM has since migrated from factory floors to software delivery, hospitals, and service industries worldwide.

Table of Contents

Common motivations for Value Stream Mapping in Technology teams

Here’s what these teams had to say about working with me on these objectives.

Who is Value Stream Mapping for?

Methodology and Main Milestones

Value Stream Mapping involves different types of maps, preparation and activities.

Here’s an overview of the main milestones in a Value Stream Mapping project:

  1. Current State Problems and Business Needs
  2. Current State Mapping
  3. Dependency Mapping
  4. Future State Mapping
  5. Improvement Roadmap
  6. Final Presentation
  7. Follow-up Period
  8. Logistics and Time Commitment

Current State Problems and Business Needs

We work together to define improvement needs, goals, benefits, participants, obstacles, and next steps.

Depending on complexity and time, we might keep it simple with an Outcome Map, or use a Charter for a more in-depth and iterative approach.

Outcome Mapping

Current State Mapping

Map the main processes required to deliver value to the customer, measure the work and wait time, and find the constraint slowing us down.

Note: Typically, teams are pretty good at improving their own processes and know where the bottlenecks are. It’s where there are dependencies with other teams that it becomes challenging to improve.

Current State Mapping

Learn more about Current State Mapping

Dependency Mapping

Identify dependencies and contributing factors for the constraint. Build a case for collaboration, why it benefits the customer and the company.

Dependency Mapping

Learn more about Dependency Mapping

Future State Mapping

Identify sources of waste in the value stream and redesign it for reduced waste and improved flow.

Sources of Waste: Defects, Waiting, Handoffs, Non-Utilized Talent, etc.

Future State Mapping

Learn more about Future State Mapping

Improvement Roadmap

Sequence improvement actions into a roadmap based on importance and feasibility, with progress measures and owners.

Improvement Roadmap

Learn more about the Improvement Roadmap

Final Presentation

The team shares what they have learned with a wider stakeholder audience. This is a great opportunity to get buy-in for the upcoming improvements.

Follow-Up Period

After the workshop we measure progress against the metrics set by the team, discuss blockers and changes to the plan.

Logistics and Time Commitment

You can start by booking a 30 minute call with me and we can draw a quick outcome map and see if you’re interested in doing more.

The full workshop is 5 sessions of 1h30min + a final presentation and follow-up sessions if you wish.

A full workshop will take up roughly 8 hours of your team’s time over 2 weeks. Here’s what that could look like:

Value Stream Mapping Overview

SessionsDurationDatePurpose
Outcome Mapping1 session of 1h30min + interviewsWeek BeforeDefine improvement needs, goals, benefits, and next steps
Current State Value Stream Mapping1h30minMondayFind and measure key constraints
Dependency Mapping1h30minTuesdayConnect constraints to dependencies
Future State Value Stream Mapping1h30minWednesdayDesign improved flow
Improvement Roadmap1h30minThursdayCreate and plot clear next steps
Final Presentation30minFridayShare workshop findings, create buy-in
Follow-up30min every 2 weeksFollowing 3 monthsMeasure progress, adjust, remove blockages

References