Value stream for QA?
Using Value Stream Mapping to Showcase QA’s True Value
Challenging the Status Quo in QA
Back in 2013, as I was finishing my MBA, I decided to take an unconventional approach to a classic business challenge: demonstrating the real value of Quality Assurance (QA) within an organization. Instead of relying on standard metrics or testimonials, I turned to Value Stream Mapping—a tool not typically used to highlight a single function, such as QA.
What Is a Value Stream?
A value stream is a visual map of all the activities that deliver value to a stakeholder—whether that’s a customer, an internal team, or an end user. It shows how each step in a process contributes to the final outcome. Traditionally, value streams are used to represent end-to-end processes across multiple departments, rather than spotlighting a single component, such as QA.
Breaking the Mould: Applying Value Stream Mapping to QA
Technically, QA is just one part of an organization’s larger value stream. It’s not meant to stand alone as its own stream, and it doesn’t fit all the formal modelling parameters. But my goal wasn’t to create a perfect diagram for the textbooks. Instead, I wanted to communicate QA’s impact in a language that business leaders and stakeholders understood.
By mapping out QA’s activities and showing how they contributed to the organization’s value delivery, I was able to spark meaningful conversations. The visual approach helped leaders recognize the often-overlooked contributions of QA, how it safeguards quality, mitigates risk, and ultimately supports business objectives.
Why This Approach Worked
Sometimes, making an impact means bending the rules. By presenting QA’s value through a value stream lens, I was able to bridge the gap for those who didn’t fully understand what QA brings to the table. The approach wasn’t about following convention, it was about starting the right conversation and making QA’s contributions visible and relatable.
Key Takeaways
- Value stream mapping isn’t just for end-to-end processes.
With a bit of creativity, it can highlight the value of critical functions like QA. - Communicate in the language your audience understands.
Using familiar frameworks helps stakeholders see the importance of what your team does. - Don’t be afraid to challenge convention.
Sometimes, the best way to convey your message is to approach things a little differently.
Curious how you can better showcase your team’s value, or want to explore new ways to highlight QA’s impact in your organization?
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"I help create ecosystems that become legacies.”
- Jeremy Berriault
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