Value stream mapping is a technique used to document, analyze and improve the flow of information or materials required to produce a product or service for a customer. A value stream MAP is usually formed as a one-page flow CHART portraying the current production track or design path of a product from the customer's request to delivery.  An important objective of value stream mapping is to identify processes that do not PROVIDE value so they can be improved. In lean production, value can be believed of as something the customer is prepared to pay for. Processes that do not deliver value are called waste.  Value stream maps document the current state of the value stream as well as the future state of the value stream and define any GAPS between the two. 

 Value stream mapping is often used to ascertain processes that could be streamlined and areas of waste that could be eradicated in keeping with Toyota's kaizen philosophy. The philosophy, which highlights continuous improvement, has been adopted by many other industries OUTSIDE manufacturing including healthcare and software development.