6.1.2. Mapping and Management Defined
💡 First Principle: Value stream mapping is making the flow visible; value stream management is the ongoing discipline of using that visibility to improve flow — mapping is the snapshot, management is the continuous practice.
Value stream mapping is the activity of creating a visual representation of a value stream — its steps, flows, hand-offs, and the time and waste at each — so the flow can be understood and analysed. Value stream management is the ongoing practice of planning, assessing, and continually improving the flow of value through value streams, using maps and metrics to guide improvement.
⚠️ Exam Trap: Mapping produces the picture; management is the ongoing activity of improving flow. A map is a tool used within management — they're related but distinct, and the exam may test the difference.
Reflection Question: Why is a value stream map only useful if it feeds an ongoing management practice rather than sitting on a shelf?
