Process Mapping

Process Mapping is defining exactly what a company does, who is responsible, and to what standard a process should be completed. As well as how the success of a business process can be determined. A process map is created in place of writing many procedures to define the company's processes. Once completed, there can be no uncertainty as to the requirements of every process. The first step in gaining control over an organization is to know and understand the basic processes (Deming, 1982; Juran, 1988; Taylor, 1911).

ISO 9001 requires a company to follow a process approach when managing its business, creating business process maps will assist. The company can then work towards ensuring its processes are effective i.e. the right process is followed the first time. And efficient i.e.continually improved to ensure processes use the least amount of resources to attain the best results.

Recent Mapping Development

Process mapping has in recent years developed due to software tools that can attach metadata to activities. That is drivers and triggers to provide a more complete understanding of processes. For example, data elements, KPIs, Times, Volumes, documents, files, databases, compliance applying to an activity can be attached to improve understanding and achieve several business goals simultaneously. Valuable analysis might include identification of duplicated use of data elements, proof or lack of proof of compliance.

The developments mean that process mapping is no longer two-dimensional but multi-dimensional; capable of achieving several important business goals:

    * Business process re-engineering
    * Regulatory compliance
    * Activity analysis
    * Service level agreement (SLA) role clarity (RACI)
    * Simulation

Making process maps available using a web-browser only means that communication to, and access by stakeholders, is achievable - thus improving compliance, training and end-to end process understanding.

Legislation such as "The Sarbanes-Oxley Act" (also known as SOX) has increased the requirements for improved process understanding and visibility of compliance issues.

A Picture Is Worth…

The first order of business for continual improvement is creating a picture (map) of the process. You should make the map as detailed as possible. Start with the first input to the process and cautiously work through to the final output.

Try to include the metrics that apply in each step of the process. For example, cycle time, lead-time, yield, volume, KPIs, etc. There are two methods for identifying inputs and outputs, COPIS and SIPOC. COPIS stands for Customer –> Output –> Process –> Input –> Supplier. SIPOC is the reverse of COPIS. COPIS is starting at the output of the process, working toward the input, where SIPOC is starting at the input, and working toward the output.

Attribute Matrix

Create an attribute matrix for each operation in the process. The matrix shows what metrics apply at the operation and the requirements for the operation. Requirements should include those from QMS and EMS standards to which your company is certified.

Class Content

You will learn and gain beneficial and useful techniques for process mapping for Six Sigma, QMS standards, EMS standards, and related projects. 

This dynamic class involves a practical "hands-on" approach for learning and the practical use of the learned skills.

You can have this class presented at your business for as little as $54.00 per person. Call us or click here to send a message. 

This class is 1 day and includes:

1.         Process identification tools

2.         Process attribute identification

3.         Process identification matrix

4.         Process mapping symbols

5.         Process mapping techniques

6.         Process map examples

7.         Workshops

8.         CEU and RU credits are awarded

Process Mapping Excel-Based Software

This is my personal recommendation for process mapping software. It's an add-on for Excel which flattened out my learning curve quite a bit. I've also used Visio for process mapping. However, the Metrics-Based Process Mapping program was much quicker because the process metrics are built-in.

Additional Information Resources