Value stream mapping for lean development

de Drew Locher

Customers and markets identify needs and problems and companies design products and services to fill or solve them. While this relationship may seem straightforward, the development process in most companies is often a root cause for customer dissatisfaction and can lead to substantial waste throughout an enterprise. Mistakes made on the proverbial drawing board can have a significant impact on an organization for many years. Therefore, the application of lean thinking and detailed mapping to the development process is especially important, particularly when one considers the ever shortening product and service life cycle experienced in most industries. In Value Stream Mapping for Lean Development, Drew Locher provides an accessible, enjoyable, how-to guide to value stream mapping that highlights its tremendous impact on product development and accompanying processes.