Which principle of lean production focuses on identifying waste in processes?

Value stream mapping is a key principle of lean production that involves analyzing and visualizing the flow of materials and information required to deliver a product or service to the customer. This technique helps organizations identify areas where waste occurs throughout their processes, such as excess inventory, unnecessary movement, and delays. By mapping out the entire value stream, businesses can pinpoint inefficiencies, streamline operations, and improve overall productivity.

This focus on eliminating waste is central to the lean philosophy, as it seeks to maximize value while minimizing waste, thus enhancing efficiency and responsiveness to customer needs. Understanding the flow and identifying opportunities for improvement are critical components of successfully implementing lean production practices.