Creating your first value stream map
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Welcome to Value Stream Mapping
Creating your first value stream map in MapVS takes just a few minutes. This guide walks you through the entire process from start to finish.
Step 1: Choose your starting point
From your dashboard, click New Map. You have three options:
- Start from a template — Choose an industry-specific template with pre-configured stages. This is the fastest way to get started.
- Start from scratch — Build a completely custom map from a blank canvas.
- Import data — Upload a CSV or connect an ERP system to auto-populate stage data.
Step 2: Define your process stages
Each stage in your value stream represents a distinct step in your process. For each stage, you will define:
- Cycle Time (C/T) — How long the stage takes to process one unit.
- Lead Time (L/T) — The total elapsed time including waiting.
- Changeover Time (C/O) — Time to switch between product types or batches.
- Uptime % — Availability of the process or equipment.
- Operators — Number of people or resources required.
Step 3: Connect your stages
Use the canvas to arrange stages in sequence. MapVS automatically calculates the timeline bar at the bottom, showing value-added time versus non-value-added (waiting) time.
Step 4: Analyse and improve
Once your map is complete, visit the Analytics tab to see bottleneck analysis, efficiency ratios, and improvement opportunities. You can also run Simulations to test "what-if" scenarios before making changes.
Tips for beginners
- Start with a simple process (5-8 stages) before tackling complex value streams.
- Use the Guided Recording tool to walk through your process step by step.
- Do not aim for perfection on your first map — iterate and refine as you learn more about your process.
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