Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is an initial step in identifying and implementing improvements across your operation and is commonly used effectively in Lean Enterprise implementations. Conventional Lean value stream mapping can overlook Green in terms of raw materials used in products and processes, pollution and other environmental wastes in the value stream, and flows of information to environmental regulatory agencies. A Green Value Stream Analysis evaluates all wastes, both Lean and “Green,” to maximize opportunities to eliminate or reduce waste. Often there is awareness that waste exists, but a systematic methodology for helping make them more visible by identifying, quantifying and evaluating waste in the value stream is needed.

Data collected will be used to measure, analyze, and discuss the performance of the chosen product’s value stream. A Current State Map will highlight areas of waste and non value-added tasks, and discuss the impact of their collective internal actions and the subsequent need to change.

There are at least five ways to explicitly address pollution and natural resource wastes using value stream mapping:

• Record environmental performance data for processes in value stream maps, and consider these data in developing a vision for the future state.
• Analyze materials used by each process versus materials actually needed for the product, and summarize this information in a “materials line” below the timeline on value stream maps.
• Expand the application of value stream mapping to natural resource flows such as energy and water use, by including additional information on materials use, waste streams, and regulatory information flows in the maps.
• Consider Lean and environment questions, as well as environmental data included in the current state map.
• Use icons to identify processes with EHS and Green opportunities in value stream maps, and involve EHS staff in planning improvement events on those processes.

This three day project will train, in a hands-on manner, a cross-functional team of middle management and key employees and/or stakeholders to measure and identify areas for improvement within one of the primary value stream flows of your operation.

Project Objectives:

• A shared organizational understanding of current opportunities for elimination of non-value adding activities and environmental wastes
• Establishment of a proactive vision that dramatically improves performance
• Agreement within management of the need for change and the path to achieve change
• Training of internal resources on value stream mapping techniques that include both Lean and Green perspectives