Value Stream Map Symbols and Video

Inventory

These icons show inventory between two processes. While mapping the current state, the amount of inventory can be approximated by a quick count, and that amount is noted beneath the triangle. If there is more than one inventory accumulation, use an icon for each.

This icon also represents storage for raw materials and finished goods.

Shipments

This icon represents movement of raw materials from suppliers to the Receiving dock/s of the factory. Or, the movement of finished goods from the Shipping docks of the factory to the customers

Push Arrow

This icon represents the “pushing” of material from one process to the next process. Push means that a process produces something regardless of the immediate needs of the downstream process.

Supermarket

This is an inventory ‘supermarket” (kanban stockpoint). Like a supermarket, a small inventory is available and one or more downstream customers come to the supermarket to pick out what they need. The upstream workcenter then replenishes stocks as required.

When continuous flow is impractical, and the upstream process must operate in batch mode, a supermarket reduces overproduction and limits total inventory.

Material Pull

Supermarkets connect to downstream processes with this “Pull” icon that indicates physical removal.

FIFO Lane

First-In-First-Out inventory. Use this icon when processes are connected with a FIFO system that limits input. An accumulating roller conveyor is an example. Record the maximum possible inventory.

Safety Stock

This icon represents an inventory “hedge” (or safety stock) against problems such as downtime, to protect the system against sudden fluctuations in customer orders or system failures. Notice that the icon is closed on all sides. It is intended as a temporary, not a permanent storage of stock; thus; there should be a clearly-stated management policy on when such inventory should be used.

External Shipment

Production Control

Manual Info

A straight, thin arrow shows general flow of information from memos, reports, or conversation. Frequency and other notes may be relevant.

Electronic Info

This wiggle arrow represents electronic flow such as electronic data interchange (EDI), the Internet, Intranets, LANs (local area network), WANs (wide area network). You may indicate the frequency of information/data interchange, the type of media used ex. fax, phone, etc. and the type of data exchanged.

Production Kanban

This icon triggers production of a pre-defined number of parts. It signals a supplying process to provide parts to a downstream process.

Withdrawal Kanban

This icon represents a card or device that instructs a material handler to transfer parts from a supermarket to the receiving process. The material handler (or operator) goes to the supermarket and withdraws the necessary items.

Signal Kanban

This icon is used whenever the on-hand inventory levels in the supermarket between two processes drops to a trigger or minimum point. When a Triangle Kanban arrives at a supplying process, it signals a changeover and production of a predetermined batch size of the part noted on the Kanban. It is also referred as “one-per-batch” kanban.

Kanban Post

Sequenced Pull

Load Leveling

MRP/ERP

Go See

Verbal Information

Kaizen Burst

Operator

Other

Timeline