How many wastes are identified in lean value stream mapping?

In lean value stream mapping, seven types of waste are identified. These wastes, also known as "muda," are critical to understanding and improving efficiency in a process. The seven wastes comprise:

1. Overproduction – Producing more than what is needed leads to excess inventory and increased costs.

2. Waiting – Time spent waiting for resources, information, or equipment creates delays and reduces overall productivity.

3. Transport – Unnecessary movement of materials or products adds no value and can increase the risk of damage and errors.

4. Extra Processing – Doing more work than necessary, such as over-complicating processes, consumes resources unnecessarily.

5. Inventory – Excess stock ties up capital and can become obsolete or spoil, leading to additional costs.

6. Motion – Unnecessary movement of people, such as searching for tools, can lead to inefficiencies and fatigue.

7. Defects – Errors or defects result in rework, scrap, and increased costs, drastically affecting process efficiency.

Understanding these seven forms of waste allows organizations to streamline their processes, enhance value delivery, and optimize resource usage, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. While there are other frameworks that might include additional wastes beyond