For Lean Six Sigma, process mapping is any diagrammatic representation of the operation of a process. Process mapping is essential for process improvement and is a picture of how things happen.
High level mapping is done with the SIPOC Diagram and the Value Stream Map. The Flowchart shows the logical flow of materials and information. The spaghetti diagram shows the physical movement in space of operators, materials and information. The Value-Added Timeline shows the VA, NVA Business Essential, and pure NVA time. The System Diagram shows interrelationships between process steps for complex processes. Mapping can be done to any level of detail. The Lean Six Sigma practitioner must use her/his skill to judge the amount of detail needed.
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