Value stream map template

Analyze, design, and manage the flow to deliver your product

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Use this template to visualize the processes that are in place so that you can improve the flow of value through your system, and minimize waste.

Delivering a product or service includes a number of steps, inputs, outputs, and people. Value stream mapping (VSM) helps you visualize the steps needed, from product creation to delivery to the end customer.

The value stream mapping template helps you:

Get a visual overview of your processes that is easy to understand
Increase transparency and alignment with all stakeholders
Understand process flows and identify areas for improvement

How to use the value stream mapping template

To use Mural’s value stream mapping template, follow the instructions outlined below with your team.

Step 1: Identify the workflow, product, or service that you’d like to improve

What is the product or service that will be the focus of your workshop? Make sure that you can name it or define it with only a few words or one sentence.

Step 2: Invite all relevant stakeholders

In order to fully understand and visualize the outcome, you’ll need to make sure that stakeholders from every part of the process are represented in your workshop. This will ensure that you avoid blind spots and generate an accurate view of the current system.

Step 3: Map the process

Whether in real-time or asynchronously, have your stakeholders map the various steps in the appropriate sections using color-coded sticky notes. The template breaks it down into the following categories, from supplier to customer:

Process steps: What are the steps and materials involved? Who are the people taking action in each step?
Current state: What does this look like in the current system? Be as specific and thorough as possible so that any inefficiencies can be identified
Evaluation: What constraints are there? What are the opportunities for improvement?
Future state: What should the ideal version of this process or service look like in the future?

Tips for running a value stream mapping template workshop

To get the most out of your value stream mapping session, you should:

Ensure that all relevant stakeholders have a chance to participate throughout the process, so that you can get an accurate picture of the current state and build consensus on how to move forward
Use Mural’s easy sharing tools so everyone can get involved and engaged, and features like tags for sticky notes to help identify themes or even assign action items
Return to your value stream map regularly as your processes evolve so that you can track progress or note any adjustments that have been made along the way

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Value stream map template FAQs

What is value stream mapping?

Value stream mapping is a tool that embodies Lean management. Lean management is a widespread method across industries and encourages shared responsibilities and leadership. Often used for supply chain management and software development, it’s centered around respect for people and dynamic continuous improvements.

Lean management emerged from the Japanese manufacturing industry in the 1940s. Taiichi Ohno, an engineer at Toyota, developed many of the Lean tools and manufacturing processes we use today. He was seeking ways to improve efficiency and quality while reducing waste and cost. The keystone of Lean management is “flow” or “continuous flow.” This means that the product or service flows smoothly from one process to the next without interruption.

The goal of value stream mapping is to identify and then remove waste from the value stream. Waste is anything that doesn’t add value to the product or service from the customer’s perspective. There are seven types of waste:

Transportation – Moving products or materials that don’t need to be moved
Inventory – Excess or unnecessary inventory
Motion – Unnecessary movement of people or equipment
Waiting – Idle time for people or equipment
Overproduction – Producing more than is needed
Over-processing – Adding unnecessary steps or features
Defects – Mistakes or imperfections that require rework

Why should you create a value stream map?

Value stream mapping is helpful in revealing waste because it forces you to take a close look at the process and each individual step. Once you’ve identified the waste, you can brainstorm ways to eliminate it and make the process more efficient.

There are two main types of value stream maps: current state maps and future state maps. Current state maps show the existing process, while future state maps show the ideal or desired process. Future state maps are usually created after a company has already implemented some Lean improvements and they serve as a target to strive for.

Creating a value stream map is a collaborative exercise in process improvement. It’s best to involve as many people as possible from different parts of the organization, including front-line workers, managers, and executive leadership. The more people you involve, the more likely it is that you’ll identify all of the waste in the process and come up with creative solutions.

What are the benefits of value stream mapping?

Value stream mapping can be used to identify bottlenecks and waste, and to develop plans for addressing these issues. Additionally, value stream mapping can help to improve project management and collaboration between different departments and teams.

By creating a clear and shared understanding of the company's operations, value stream mapping can help to improve efficiency and performance. Therefore, value stream mapping offers a number of potential benefits for businesses of all sizes.