A value network is a business analysis model that focuses on the complex web of relationships and value exchanges among various participants, such as customers, suppliers, partners, and other stakeholders. Its primary concern is to identify these actors (or nodes) and understand how they collaborate and interact to co-create value. Unlike linear models, it visualizes the multi-directional flow of both tangible assets (money, goods) and intangible assets (information, knowledge, reputation) between the involved parties, making it the approach most centered on the participants themselves.

B. Value chains: This model focuses on the linear sequence of internal activities a single firm performs to deliver a product, not the broader network of external participants.

C. Value streams: This approach maps the end-to-end sequence of activities required to deliver value to a customer, emphasizing process flow and efficiency over identifying the participants.

D. Lean value streams: This is a specific application of value stream mapping that is primarily concerned with identifying and eliminating waste (muda) within the process flow.

1. The Open Group Standard

The Open Agile Architecture™ Standard (C228)

January 2022. In Section 3.1.28

"Definitions"

a Value Network is explicitly defined as: "A set of roles

actors

and stakeholders and the value exchanges between them." This definition directly highlights the focus on participants.

2. The Open Group Guide

Value Streams (G178)

October 2017. Section 2.3

"Value Network"

states: "A value network is a set of connections between organizations and/or individuals interacting with each other to benefit the entire group... A value network describes the social and technical resources within and between businesses." This reinforces the focus on the interacting participants.

3. The Open Group Guide

Value Streams (G178)

October 2017. In contrast

Section 2.1

"Value Stream"

defines it as a concept that "denotes the flow of value in the context of an end-to-end perspective

" emphasizing the flow of activities rather than the participants.