Value stream mapping (VSM) serves as a critical tool during the assessment process and can reveal substantial opportunities to reduce costs, enhance production flow, save time, reduce inventory, and improve environmental performance.

The assessment team leads a collaborative effort to create a current state VSM of the identified product or process line. The map should examine areas that offer the greatest potential for lean and green improvement such as: inventory, inputs, outputs, wastes, non-value-added steps, worker safety issues, energy consumptions, bottlenecks and rework.

Once the current state VSM is completed, the assessment team then creates a future state map of the identified product or process line that includes lean and green improvement recommendations made by the group. The team assumes a future state map is not limited by capital restraints; it should represent a fully optimized line in its ideal state.

Tools

• Primer on Value Stream Mapping Techniques (PDF)(11 pp, 216 K)
• Metal Finishing Operations (PDF)(4 pp, 771 K)
• Metal Fabrication Operations (PDF)(4 pp, 632 K)
• Parts Washing Operations (PDF)(4 pp, 619 K)
• Surface Coating Operations (PDF)(4 pp, 660 K)