Value Stream Mapping

Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is one of the Lean Production tools that has been widely discussed in the literature for mapping production and service processes with a focus on reducing waste and non-value added time. Despite the growing number of publications on the subject there is a lack of systematic research presenting the state of the art. Therefore this book through a literature review aims to gather information on the VSM in order to identify its main characteristics trends and opportunities. The review includes 263 abstracts and 91 selected articles. The study proposes a synthesis in the form of a framework which presents how VSM is adopted in certain contexts and motivations outlining a better understanding of how the tool is implemented and the respective outputs and results that can be generated. This book is aimed at managers engineers administrators consultants and students who work or wish to work in the area of continuous improvement and operational excellence.