Module 2 · Lesson 15 of 16
High-level value-stream mapping
Listen to this article
Ready
100% Free
This lesson and the entire Lean Six Sigma Black Belt academy are free of charge — no fees, ever.
Learning objectives
- Draw a Define-stage value-stream map for one product family.
- Separate lead time from touch time.
- Identify a project-sized opportunity without designing solutions yet.
High-level, not detailed
Record customer demand, major processes, inventory/WIP, uptime, cycle time, changeover, yield, information flow and the total timeline. Detailed process mapping comes later in Measure.
Garment-factory example
Order-to-shipment mapping exposes waiting for lab dip, fabric approval, marker release, wash shade decision and final audit as the largest lead-time contributors.
Method
- Walk the actual flow with typical data.
- Draw material and information paths.
- Calculate lead time and touch time.
- Identify one project-sized opportunity.
Common mistakes
- Mapping from SOPs instead of the shop floor.
- Turning every Kaizen burst into the same project.
Knowledge check
Pick one answer per question. Explanations appear after you submit.
1. The Define-stage VSM describes:
2. Future-state design belongs:
Author: NOSK.life · Last reviewed: 2026-07-21