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Wikipedia defines
- Business process mapping refers to activities involved in
defining exactly what a business entity does, who is responsible, to
what standard a process should be completed and how the success of a
business process can be determined. Once this is done, there can be
no uncertainty as to the requirements of every internal business
process. A
business process illustration is produced. The first step in
gaining control over an organization is to know and understand the
basic processes (Deming, 1982; Juran, 1988; Taylor, 1911).
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ISO 9001 requires a business entity to follow a process approach
when managing its business, and to this end creating business
process maps will assist. The entity can then work towards ensuring
its processes are effective (the right process is followed the first
time), and efficient (continually improved to ensure processes use
the least amount of resources).
Business process mapping can be a simple as constructing the activities and
steps related to a department or cross functional process or it can be very
complex. One of our clients create a business process map for the procurement
process with over 600 steps. They put their process map on the wall leading to
the cafeteria so as people were waiting in line for lunch everyone could see how
inefficient their process was. This also motivated employees in departments
outside of purchasing to start thinking about mapping their own processes as a
means to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Process maps can be created:
- with flip chart paper
- on white boards
- in software like Excel or Visio
- with large or small post-it notes
The results of process mapping does not depend on the media used to
create the process map. The quality of results depends on employees and
executives reviewing the process maps and taking action within their
department and with other departments that are part of the process map. Some
organizations have used process mapping with customers and suppliers.
Companies using Supply Chain Management techniques often use process mapping
as a means to improve the supply chain (a cross company process).
Call John Antos, Jim Brimson or Pat Dowdle at
972-980-7407
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