Value stream map
A value stream map (VSM) is a Lean process-mapping technique that adds operational metrics — cycle time, wait time, value-add status — to each step. Where a basic process map answers "how does this work," a VSM answers "where is the waste."
Start with the swimlane — add the VSM data alongside
Use the editor's spreadsheet to capture steps and timing data side by side. The swimlane diagram renders in real time. Free, no signup.
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Value stream maps come from Toyota Production System / Lean Manufacturing and have since been adopted in service-industry process improvement. The diagram captures both the flow of work (steps and handoffs) and the flow of information that triggers each step, then annotates every step with timing data:
- Cycle time — how long the step actually takes to perform.
- Wait time — how long work sits between steps.
- Value-add vs. non-value-add — does this step add something the customer cares about?
- Lead time — total elapsed time from request to delivery.
Why VSM exists
Most process problems aren't in the steps themselves — they're in the wait time between steps. A VSM makes that visible. When you total up the cycle times and total up the wait times, the gap is the waste. Improvement projects target that gap.
VSM vs. swimlane process map
The two formats are complementary:
- Swimlane process map — answers "who does what, in what order, and what are the handoffs."
- Value stream map — answers "how long does each step take, how long does work wait between steps, and where is the value lost."
Using both together
Many Lean projects start with a swimlane process map of the as-is workflow, then convert it into a value stream map by adding the timing data on top. The to-be design comes from attacking the longest wait times first.
Building a VSM-style map from a spreadsheet
ProcessMapping.app's spreadsheet input can carry VSM data alongside the diagram source: add columns for cycle time, wait time, and value-add status next to each step. The diagram itself renders the swimlane flow; the annotations live in the spreadsheet for analysis.
Frequently asked questions
What is a value stream map?
A Lean process map that annotates each step with cycle time, wait time, and value-add status. It is used to identify waste in a workflow and design improvements.
What's the difference between a value stream map and a process map?
A process map shows how the work flows. A value stream map adds the timing of each step and the wait between steps, making waste visible.
Where do value stream maps come from?
Toyota Production System / Lean Manufacturing. They were adopted in service and knowledge-work process improvement starting in the 1990s.
What metrics does a VSM track?
Cycle time (step duration), wait time (between-step delay), value-add vs non-value-add status, and total lead time from request to delivery.
When should I build a VSM instead of a swimlane diagram?
When the project is about reducing waste and the team needs timing data on every step. For pure documentation, a swimlane diagram is enough.
Can I build a VSM in ProcessMapping.app?
ProcessMapping.app builds the diagram half — the swimlane flow — and the spreadsheet can carry the VSM timing data alongside each step. The two together give you the VSM source.
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The editor opens with a starter template. Edit the spreadsheet to define your process — the diagram updates as you type. No signup required to get started.
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