Map the Current State Before You Fix
Create a current-state view that includes process steps, waits, quality loss, and information triggers.
A process diagram shows boxes; a value-stream map shows flow. Capture the Actual Condition Start with what happens today, not what the SOP says should happen. Use timestamps, samples, and observations from people doing the work. Include Time and Quality For each major step, record cycle time, queue time, and percent complete and accurate. Those three numbers reveal whether the problem is speed, waiting, or rework. Draw Information Flow Ask what tells each person to start work. Email batches, spreadsheet drops, missing approvals, and unclear escalation paths are often the real design of the process.
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