Value stream mapping in construction management

Value stream mapping (VSM) is a tool used within the field of Project Management to visualize and improve the overall flow process of a product or service from raw material all the way to the customer. It has its origin at TOYOTA, being a part of their lean management tools, where it is known as “material and information flow mapping”. VSM helps document all the activities required to complete a request from a customer. It includes people who normally manage individual functions or processes, and makes the overall flow of material and information across the entire process visible. In addition, it brings alignment to the organization, by involving the people who in fact do the work, and provides a platform for improvement and implementation. VSM is dynamic tool, since its continuously updated as the processes is being improved. VSM differs from the traditional tool; process/flow maps, by having a process focus, rather than a product focus. It provides a holistic view of how thing work, with a costumer perspective. One vital gain from applying VSM, is that it provides a common language when talking about processes, and allowing people to operate solely based on facts. The goal is to design an “ideal state”, also known as the “future state” by analyzing the “current state”. The current state presents how the process is at the time of making the VSM, which is important due to its dynamic nature.