What is the primary purpose of determining a value stream for a process?

Determining a value stream for a process primarily serves to identify areas of concern, waste, and improvement. The value stream mapping technique focuses on visualizing the flow of materials and information required to bring a product or service to the customer. By mapping out each step in the process, teams can clearly see where inefficiencies, redundancies, and non-value-adding activities occur. This understanding allows organizations to target specific areas for improvement, optimize processes, and enhance overall performance.

Focusing on the entire value stream enables teams to align their improvement efforts with the goal of delivering the best possible value to the customer while minimizing waste. This can involve reducing cycle times, eliminating bottlenecks, or enhancing quality—all of which are key principles in Six Sigma methodologies.