Introduction
What is Value Stream Mapping?
Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is a Lean management method for visualising how value flows through a process — from request to delivery. It reveals where time is spent, where waste hides, and where to improve.
A value stream map captures every step in a process, measuring the time each step takes (cycle time), the time spent waiting between steps (wait time), and whether each step actually adds value from the customer's perspective.
Foundations
Key Concepts
Map
A visual representation of your end-to-end process. Each map contains ordered steps (stages) with time and resource data.
Stage / Step
A single activity in the process. Each stage has a cycle time (how long the work takes), wait time (how long before the next step begins), and a resource (who does it).
Value-Add (VA)
An activity the customer would pay for. It must: transform the product/service, be done right first time, and be something the customer wants. Examples: assembly, diagnosis, coding, testing.
Non-Value-Add (NVA)
An activity that consumes time but doesn't add customer value. Examples: waiting for approval, transporting materials, rework, searching for information. Some NVA is necessary (compliance, safety) — target unnecessary NVA first.
Lead Time
Total elapsed time from start to finish, including all cycle times and wait times. This is what your customer experiences.
Cycle Time
The actual working time spent on value-adding activities. The gap between lead time and cycle time reveals your improvement opportunity.
Lean Thinking
The 8 Wastes (TIMWOODS)
Lean identifies eight categories of waste that consume resources without adding customer value. Learning to spot them is the first step to eliminating them.
Transport
Unnecessary movement of materials or information between locations.
e.g. Emailing a form to three departments for signatures.
Inventory
Excess stock, work-in-progress, or queued tasks beyond what is needed.
e.g. 200 support tickets waiting in a backlog.
Motion
Unnecessary movement of people — walking, reaching, switching between tools.
e.g. Toggling between 5 apps to complete one task.
Waiting
Idle time when work stalls because of dependencies, approvals, or handoffs.
e.g. Waiting 3 days for a manager's approval signature.
Over-processing
Doing more work than the customer requires or the process demands.
e.g. Formatting a report that no one reads.
Over-production
Producing more than needed, or producing it before it's needed.
e.g. Printing 500 copies of a document that changes weekly.
Defects
Errors, rework, corrections, and anything that must be done again to fix a mistake.
e.g. Re-entering data because the form had the wrong address.
Skills (Unused Talent)
Not utilising people's abilities, ideas, or experience — the most overlooked waste.
e.g. An engineer spending 60% of their time on admin tasks.
Key Metric
Process Cycle Efficiency (PCE)
PCE = Value-Add Time / Total Lead Time × 100
World-class processes typically achieve 25-50% PCE. Most processes start at 1-10%. Even small improvements make a significant difference.
Getting Started
How to Use MapVS
Choose a template or start blank
Pick from 50+ industry templates or create your own. Templates give you a proven starting structure with typical stages, resources, and time estimates.
Capture your process
Use the web recorder, mobile app, or import a CSV. Record real times, not estimates — accuracy is what drives real improvement.
Analyse and improve
The platform calculates metrics, identifies bottlenecks, classifies waste, and suggests improvements. Create what-if scenarios to model changes before implementing.
Ready to map your first value stream?
Create a free account, pick a template, and start seeing where the time really goes.