Väärtusvoogukaardi

Väärtusvoogukaart, commonly known in English as Value Stream Mapping (VSM), is a lean-management tool used to visualize and analyze the flow of materials and information required to bring a product or service to a customer. It provides a holistic view of the entire process, from raw material or customer request to the final delivery. The primary goal of VSM is to identify and eliminate waste within a process.

The creation of a VSM typically involves a team walking the actual process path, documenting each step, the time taken, the resources involved, and the flow of information. Key elements often depicted include process steps, inventory levels, lead times, cycle times, and the direction of information flow. This visual representation helps teams understand where delays occur, where value is added, and where non-value-adding activities (waste) are present.

Common types of waste identified through VSM include overproduction, waiting, unnecessary transportation, over-processing, excess inventory, unnecessary motion, and defects. Once waste is identified, the team can use the VSM to design a future state map, outlining improvements and changes needed to create a more efficient and streamlined process. VSM is a powerful tool for continuous improvement, enabling organizations to enhance customer satisfaction, reduce costs, and increase operational efficiency.