Value Stream Mapping is a proven tool that helps eliminating waste. Well suited for a broad range of industries and processes, VSM is ideal for creating positive organizational changes, developing efficient future states, and producing system-wide benefits in cost, quality, and flexibility. VSM, like any tool, must be applied properly to be effective. That means avoiding all the pitfalls that can invalidate the mapping process. Below are seven pitfalls that employees are prone to when developing a value stream map. These pitfalls not only affect the results of a value stream map, but also rob businesses of the system-wide benefits VSM produces.