Workbook

Value-Stream Mapping Workbook & Gemba Guide

An interactive workbook to map end-to-end flow, capture Gemba observations, identify waste, and plan rapid PDSA experiments with owners, measures, and timelines.

Interactive Tool

Value-Stream Mapping Workbook & Gemba Guide

Use this workbook to clarify who your customer is, map an end-to-end process, record concrete Gemba observations, surface non-value activities, and design time-boxed experiments you can run quickly. The form saves your answers so you can return, share with the team, and track progress. Aim for practical, reversible changes: small experiments that teach.

Tips: keep the map to the smallest end-to-end flow that delivers value; focus on facts observed at the Gemba (what you see, hear, measure); prefer experiments that change the process for a short time so you can learn fast.

Who receives the outcome of this flow? Name the customer or stakeholder and their key expectation.
In one sentence, what does the customer need from this process? Example: 'Delivered, complete order within 48 hours with zero missing items.'
For each step below, write the step name, active cycle time, average wait time after the step, and the role or area receiving the work. Use the next fields for up to six key steps. If your flow needs more steps, save and repeat the workbook or add details in observation notes.
Example: 'Receive order'
Enter numeric value. Use minutes or seconds consistently.
Enter numeric value.
Who receives the output of this step?
List concrete examples tied to steps or locations (e.g., 'excess batching at packing - groups of 50 instead of continuous flow').
Use these prompts during your walk. Check what you verify and add notes in observation notes.
Record what you saw, heard, measured, and who you spoke with. Be specific: times, counts, locations.
List likely causes for the observed wastes (e.g., batching to meet another area's metric; missing parts; unclear priorities).
Example: 'Hypothesis: reducing batch size to 10 will cut wait time by 30%. Change: implement continuous hand-off for 2 weeks. Measure: average wait time and throughput.'
A short measurable objective for the first experiment.
Be specific about steps, who, required materials, and a start and end date.
Define metric(s), how often you'll record them, and the current baseline value(s).
YYYY-MM-DD
Summarize data and observations: what changed, what didn't, unexpected effects.
Based on study findings, what will you do next? Assign owners.
List action, owner, and expected completion date.
Examples: lead time, value-added time %, first-pass yield, defect rate, on-time delivery. Include measurement frequency.
1 = low, 5 = high
1.0 10.0
Capture quick lessons for the team.
If yes, the saved workbook can be copied into the team domain for follow-up.
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