It highlights where value is added and areas where no value (waste) occurs and can be used as method to identify any inefficiencies in the process that need addressing.

A value stream map itself is a sequence of activities to produce an end product or deliver a service.

By understanding these steps it is then easier to understand how improvements to the system might be made by streamlining or removing certain steps. A value stream map which has been improved but not implemented is known as a future state map.