An evaluation of the value stream mapping tool Ibon Serrano Lasa Industrial Management Department, Mondragon University, Mondragon, Spain Carlos Ochoa Laburu Business Organization Department, Polytechnic University College, University of the Basque Country, San Sebastia ´n, Spain, andRodolfo de Castro Vila Business Organization, Management and Product Design Department, University of Girona, Girona, Spain Abstract Purpose – The value stream mapping (VSM) is a tool created by the lean production movement for redesigning the productive systems. Since, it was theoretically developed, some cases have been published where the mentioned tool has been used; however, there is a need to see how it is put into practice, that is to analyze the level in which theory is able to adapt to real practice, the strengths, weakne sses and the key aspects to be taken into account by the applicant teams to obtain the highest performance of the VSM. This paper aims to discuss all of these aspects. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology used is a case study of a company in which the process of application of the VSM has been thoroughly analyzed. A team created to improve the pro ductive system of a manu fac tur e for pla sti c casings for mobi le phones has carrie d out this application. Findings – The research shows that the VSM is a valuable tool for redesigning the productive systems according to the lean system. Nevertheless, there are some key points for the establishing teams that have to take into account, as follows: the time and training resources spent, the use ofsuitable information systems and a suitable management of the application phases. Research limitations/implications – The conclusions of this research can be reinforced by the monitoring of the application process in more company cases. Pract ical impli catio ns – The conclusions of this research are useful for future practitioners, so that they may bear in mind the different aspects of planning projects for redesigning productive systems by using VSM. On the other hand, these conclusi ons can also be useful for the academic field in order to enhance the theory of VSM. Originality/value – The pape r is a contri buti on bas ed on prac tic al ref ere nces acc ording to a thoroughly monitoring of a successful case in establishing VSM. Keywords Value analysis, Business process re-engineering, Team working, Manufacturing systems Paper type Case study Introduction At the present ti me, man uf acturing firms need to redefine and red esi gn their prod uction sys tems to tackle the competit iven ess demanded by the chal lenges ofThe current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/1463-7154.htm The research team would like to thank to Maier S. Coop for its support and collaboration. Evaluation of the VSM tool 39 Business Process Management Journal Vol. 14 No. 1, 2008 pp. 39-52 q Emerald Group Publishing Limited 1463-7154 DOI 10.1108/14637150810849391
