Difference between revisions of "Process mapping"

Revision as of 09:53, 21 December 2015

Definition

The process of organizing and representing knowledge using process maps.

Summary

Documenting the main processes of an organisation is one of the requirements for a management system [2]. Process mapping can be used as a tool to document these processes and the knowledge embedded in them in the form of a process map.

Description

Outputs of process mapping

Process mapping helps organizations in becoming more efficient [1] and it can be used as a tool for continuous improvement [3]:

• Documented processes should be a part of management system [2]
• A clear process map helps an organisation to understand its own work better
• Documented processes enable auditing processes e.g. by the regulatory body
• Process mapping helps to measure and compare the objective of a process alongside the entire organization's objectives to make sure that all processes are aligned [1].

Process mapping

Process mapping includes [1,2]:

• defining what an organization does,
• who is responsible,
• inputs and outputs,
• requirements for the process,
• the sequence and interactions of the processes,
• process measurements and
• a definition of a successful completion of the process.

Process maps can be constructed directly with experts to help model process knowledge. As with concept mapping, the input for process models can be generated via interviews with experts. Alternatively group techniques can be used to help provide the basis for the process model.

References

[1] Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_process_mapping

[2] IAEA, Safety Requirements, GS-R-3, http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1252_web.pdf

[3] IAEA, Management of continual improvement for facilities and activities: A structured approach, http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/te_1491_web.pdf

Related articles

Process map

Knowledge mapping

Concept mapping