Which lean tool represents the flow of materials and information in detail from suppliers to customers?

The Value Stream Map is a vital lean tool used to represent the flow of materials and information throughout the entire process, from suppliers to customers. This tool provides a comprehensive visual representation of all the steps involved in a process, including both value-adding and non-value-adding activities. By illustrating how information and materials move through the value stream, practitioners can identify inefficiencies, redundancies, and opportunities for improvement.

A Value Stream Map typically includes data on cycle times, lead times, inventory levels, and process flows, helping teams to analyze and enhance the overall efficiency of their operations. The goal of using this tool is to streamline processes, eliminate waste, and ultimately deliver greater value to the customer with less effort.

While other options like Workflow Diagrams and Process Mapping also depict processes, they do not focus as extensively on the end-to-end flow of value from suppliers to customers. Gantt Charts, on the other hand, are used primarily for project scheduling, providing a timeline of tasks, rather than detailing material and information flows. Thus, the Value Stream Map stands out as the best choice for understanding the complete flow in a lean context.