eVSM Blog

Assessment and Prioritization of Improvement Activities
This article is Part 1 of a 3-part series exploring the journey toward operational excellence through Value Stream Management (VSM). Stay tuned for Part 2, which will look at shop floor...

Published: 2025-01-20

Introduction to value stream mapping across industries
Value Stream Mapping. It's one of those Lean tools that can make a world of difference when put to use in your business. We've been helping Fortune 500 companies for years with their VSMs,...

Published: 2025-01-02

Digital vs Traditional Value Stream Mapping: What to Expect
Digital value stream mapping: easier on the team, better results. eVSM built by Lean professionals for Lean professionals. Free trial, typical ROI is while still on the free trial.
Value Stream Mapping: How to synchronize material feeding
In a project with a goal to implement the Future Value Stream Map, the primary objective was to reduce lead time from order to final product delivery. This goal was pursued by decreasing...

Published: 2024-12-13

How to Move from a Current State to a Future State
Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is only a tool unless the designed future state is achieved, and the planned changes are implemented within a short time frame. Without this execution, VSM are...

Published: 2024-12-13

How to Plan a Future State (future VSM)
Massimo ZucchelliThe foundation for defining the future flow is the Current State Value Stream Map (VSM). This must be reliable and based on data gathered through direct observation in...

Published: 2024-12-13

Value Stream Mapping Sessions: Overcoming Employee Anxiety
Value stream mapping (VSM) sessions can feel intimidating, both for employees and lower-level managers. A classic reason is that they're worried that inefficiencies will be perceived as...

Published: 2024-12-04

Takt Time: How to Select a Pacemaker and Set the Production Plan
To establish an effective pacemaker, it's crucial to understand the concept of takt time. This represents the pace at which a product or component must be produced to meet customer demand....

Published: 2024-11-25

Value Stream Management for Organizational Alignment
Aligning every function of a plant towards delivering customer value is essential, for achieving operational excellence. This post explores how one manufacturing plant reorganized its...

Published: 2024-11-19

Balancing an Assembly Line as part of Strategic Goals
Welcome to our 'Lean in Action' series, where we bring you real stories from the field about the transformative power of value stream mapping (VSM). While we’ve taken care to keep...

Published: 2024-11-19

Using  VSM and Lean Tools to Increase Production Capacity
VSM tools and Lean tools can be used effectively to increase production capacity, even in complex manufacturing processes. Identify root causes and launch improvement projects with digital VSM tools
Value Stream Mapping and A3 Methodology Drive Efficiency in Assembly Lines
Welcome to our 'Lean in Action' series, where we bring you real stories from the field about the transformative power of value stream mapping (VSM). While we’ve taken care to keep...

Published: 2024-11-05

Value stream mapping with Visio and eVSM
It's a common question: can you use Visio for value stream mapping? Let's take a look.Value stream mapping with Visio and eVSMWhen it comes to value stream mapping (VSM), you might think of...

Published: 2024-10-31

What is "Value" in Value Stream Mapping?
Massimo ZucchelliHow to Define Value in VSMIn creating a value stream map of a manufacturing or service process, it is critical to define who is the customer of that process is and what is...

Published: 2024-10-28

Reflecting Dual Supplier Strategies on a Value Stream Map in Times of Supply Network Instability
Over the past few years we've seen supply chain instability become a constant challenge for many industries. There have been global disruptions, unpredictable delays, and shifting demands....

Published: 2024-10-22

Pharma Manufacturing: Sterility and Cleanroom Protocols in Value Stream Mapping
The pharmaceutical manufacturing industry rightly includes some mandatory sterility and cleanroom requirements. These are stringent requirements, and it makes sense: the potential risks are...

Published: 2024-10-21

Value Stream Mapping Software for Supply Networks and other Complex Manufacturing Environments
We're in a globalized market. Supply chain complexity is at an all-time high. Companies must manage multi-tier supplier relationships, balance production across various locations, and...

Published: 2024-10-18

Value Stream Mapping and Inventory Management
The Hidden Costs of Increasing Inventory: Why More Stock Isn’t the SolutionIn many manufacturing environments, increasing inventory can seem like a quick fix to production challenges....

Published: 2024-10-15

Mixed Model Value Stream Mapping for VSMs with Shared Resources and Product Variants
Mastering Complexity with Mixed Model Value Stream Mapping (MMVSM)Production lines are expected to handle multiple product variants. They need to meet tight schedules and fluctuating...

Published: 2024-10-14

Value stream mapping and line balancing
With our work with some of the biggest names in manufacturing, (we name-drop here), line balancing is a very common need we come across. This is a key concept in both lean...

Published: 2024-10-09

Value stream mapping related to other charts and tools
If you’re new to value stream mapping and Lean methodologies, you can find yourself wondering which tools you’ll be using often, which ones are not related at all, and which ones are...

Published: 2024-10-07

Launching a New Line with Digital Value Stream Maps: A Case Study on Achieving Balance and Efficiency
In today's competitive manufacturing environment, companies are constantly looking for ways to streamline processes, reduce waste, and optimize resource utilization. One effective strategy...

Published: 2024-10-04

Six Sigma and Value Stream Mapping: Similarities and Differences
Six Sigma and Value Stream Mapping (VSM) are both methodologies aimed at improving processes and increasing efficiency, but they differ in their focus and techniques. However, they can...

Published: 2024-10-01

Using Lean Charts to Optimize Value Stream Mapping
For more than 20 years, we’ve helped manufacturers to get waste out of their processes. And while it can seem complicated, it’s something that we have gotten very, very good at!!To stay...

Published: 2024-09-24

Are floor plans and value stream mapping related?
Floor plans and Value Stream Mapping (VSM) can be related in specific contexts, especially when analyzing the physical layout and flow of materials, people, or information in a production...

Published: 2024-09-18

Introduction to Value Stream Mapping: A Beginner’s Guide
Introduction to Value Stream MappingValue stream mapping (VSM) is a powerful tool used to visualize and analyze the steps involved in delivering a product or service. By mapping out each...

Published: 2024-09-10