Questions A Value Stream Manager Must Ask

It’s not good enough to be able to use process map software and create a process map or value stream map for the fun of it. The process map or value stream map actually needs to be useful. To make it useful, a Value Stream Manager should keep the following questions in mind:

• What is the purpose of the process?
• What is being done?
• When is it being done?
• Who is doing it?
• Where is it being done?
• How is it being done?
• How well does it do on the various metrics of importance?
• How long does it take to do?

The answers to the above question – there are more also, but the ones above are a good start – will help you arrive at a process map or value stream map that is actionable and reflective of the process.

Of course, an interview is not good enough, but the questions must or should be asked during a gemba walk.