Strategic Management: Value Stream Mapping (Definitions)

"A process improvement tool that is used in lean manufacturing. The value stream map captures processes, material flows of a given product family and helps to identify waste in the system." (Bimal P Nepal & Leslie Monplaisir, "Lean and Global Product Development in Auto Industry", 2009)

"Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is one of the most known lean methods to analyze the current state of a production and to visualize and design a future state map. The VSM method is based on the use of specific symbols and icons for the visualization of the production sequences." (Dominik T Matt & Erwin Rauch, "Implementing Lean in Engineer-to-Order Manufacturing: Experiences from a ETO Manufacturer", 2014)

"A way to keep track of goods and material as they move through the product-creating process that helps a business boost productivity and reduces wastes." (Kijpokin Kasemsap, "Applying Lean Production and Six Sigma in Global Operations", 2016)

"A method to keep track of products and material as they move through the product-creating process that helps a business enhance productivity and reduce wastes." (Kijpokin Kasemsap, "Lean Thinking in Global Health Care: Theory and Applications", 2017)

"Value stream mapping is a technique used to analyze the flow of materials, services and information required to bring a service to a consumer." (Parminder Singh Kang et al, "Continuous Improvement Philosophy in Higher Education", 2020)

"Is a lean management technique for analyzing, designing, and managing the flow of data and information from an end-customer perspective to achieve value for them." (Anna Wiedemann et al, "Transforming Disciplined IT Functions: Guidelines for DevOps Integration", 2021)

"A pencil-and-paper tool used in two stages: a) Follow a product’s production path from beginning to end and draw a visual representation of every process in the material and information flows. b) Then draw a future state map of how value should flow. The most important map is the future state map." (Lean Enterprise Institute)

"Value stream mapping (VSM) is the process of charting out or visually displaying a value stream so that improvement activity can be effectively planned." (Gartner)