Uncover Hidden Inefficiencies with Group50’s Brown Paper Exercise

Discover how Group50’s Brown Paper Exercise helps organizations visualize, analyze, and improve complex business processes. This collaborative workshop identifies inefficiencies, streamlines operations, and drives measurable performance improvement across teams transforming challenges into actionable strategies for sustainable operational excellence.

1. Unlocking Process Excellence: The Power
of the Brown Paper Exercise
Discover how a simple yet powerful visualization technique transforms complex business processes into clear, actionable
improvement roadmaps that drive measurable results.

2. What is the Brown Paper Exercise?
The Brown Paper Exercise is a dynamic, visual workshop method that
maps out entire business processes on large paper sheets, enabling
teams to see workflows in full scale. Originating from traditional paper-
based mapping, this approach brings processes to life by engaging
cross-functional teams to identify inefficiencies and improvement
opportunities collaboratively.
Unlike digital diagrams, the physical and interactive nature of this
exercise fosters real-time problem-solving and team alignment.
Group50® has modernized this technique, making it a fast, effective tool
that uncovers hidden bottlenecks and drives immediate actionable
insights.
Visual Clarity
See entire workflows at a glance
on physical paper
Team Collaboration
Engage cross-functional teams in
real-time mapping
Instant Insights
Identify bottlenecks and
inefficiencies immediately

3. How Brown Paper Mapping Enhances Value
Stream Mapping
Brown paper mapping serves as a foundational step in creating detailed Value Stream Maps by visually exposing process
flows, handoffs, and waste that are often invisible in digital tools. Group50's Brown Paper Exercise integrates with value
stream mapping to deliver a comprehensive view of workflows, enabling organizations to pinpoint "Red ops" 4 critical
inefficiencies that impact cost and productivity.
Map Current State
Document existing processes with
team input on physical paper
Identify Waste
Expose hidden inefficiencies and
process bottlenecks visually
Design Future State
Create optimized workflows aligned
with strategic goals
This tactile process encourages participation from all levels, ensuring that those who know the work best contribute to
designing sustainable improvements. The result is a shared understanding across departments and a clear roadmap for
process optimization aligned with strategic business goals.

4. Real-World Impact: Group 's Brown Paper
Exercise Success Stories
%
Productivity Increase
Achieved by $25M manufacturer in four
days
$ M
Annual Savings
Uncovered in Quote-to-Cash
optimization
OiOnOh
Process Gaps
Identified and addressed
systematically
Manufacturing Success
A $25 million manufacturer identified 160 process gaps in
just four days, leading to a 30% productivity increase and
significant cost savings. The Brown Paper Exercise
revealed inefficiencies that had been hidden in complex
workflows for years.
Quote-to-Cash Transformation
In a Quote-to-Cash project, Group50 uncovered $15 million
in annual savings by streamlining workflows and
eliminating waste through brown paper mapping and
subsequent value stream analysis.
Teams report enhanced engagement, improved cross-department collaboration, and a clearer grasp of process
interdependencies, which traditional mapping methods often fail to achieve. These outcomes demonstrate how brown
paper exercises can transform complex processes into manageable, optimized workflows with measurable ROI.

5. Best Practices for Conducting a Brown
Paper Exercise

Define Clear Objectives
Establish scope, goals, and relevant
documentation before the session
begins

Assemble Diverse Team
Include representatives from all
stakeholder groups involved in the
process

Prepare Materials
Gather large brown paper rolls and
color-coded sticky notes for visual
mapping

Facilitate Open Dialogue
Create blame-free environment focused on identifying root
causes and solutions

Capture & Act
Document insights and translate them into actionable
improvement plans
Key Success Factors
Use large rolls of brown paper and color-coded sticky notes to map steps,
decisions, handoffs, and bottlenecks visibly
Encourage identification of pain points through structured facilitation
techniques
Leverage Group50's Business Hierarchy of Needs® framework for sustained
impact and continuous improvement
Ensure psychological safety so all participants feel comfortable sharing
honest observations

6. Transform Your Business with Group 's
Expertise
Cultural Catalyst
More than a mapping tool4the
Brown Paper Exercise drives
organizational change and
continuous improvement mindset
Operational Excellence
Combining hands-on approaches
with expert value stream
mapping consultants unlocks
hidden value
Breakthrough Results
Achieve measurable performance
improvements and lasting
business transformation
Ready to Get Started?
Eliminate waste, boost productivity, and create lasting business
transformation with Group50's proven methodology. Our subject
matter experts combine the tactile power of the Brown Paper
Exercise with sophisticated value stream analysis to deliver
results that matter.
By working with experienced value stream mapping
consultants, your organization gains not just tools and
techniques, but strategic partners committed to your operational
excellence journey.
Take the Next Step
Connect with Group50's experts to start
your journey toward process excellence
today.
Visit Group50 Brown Paper Exercise for
more information and to schedule a
consultation.