Process Mapping Methods And How They Help Us Better Understand Processes
Many a times it is required by an organization to improve the existing processes that are currently functional in the organization. In such cases, process maps are the best ways to understand the process and identify areas of improvements. Process mapping methods help to draw effective process maps for a process and add depth and meaning to the maps.
Process maps are not just pictorial representations that contain boxes of various shapes and lines, that describe the how information flows in a process. In fact they are important tools that can be used to increase the efficiency, reduce cycle times, simplify work flow, minimize dependencies, expand service capabilities and can be used to eliminate non-value added activities.
The article below describes some Process mapping methods which, when followed to draw process maps, can help us to attain all the advantages of process maps mentioned above.
Define The Process:
The first thing in drawing a process map is to define it properly. It has to be defined in such a way that it visually describes clearly, how a process happens and by looking at the map the areas in which the process needs improvements can be judged. How a Process can be mapped:
To draw effective tools, one needs a proper tool kit. Each tool has its own strength and weaknesses. A tool kit contains the tools that help to capture the process usefully. There are some ways in which you can illustrate a process.
A process can be illustrated by both an Informal System map and the Formal System map. It can be illustrated by block diagrams, Top-Down charts, Flow Process charts, Work Flow diagrams, Deployments charts and State Change charts. The system map method to describe a process is used when the interplay between processes is evaluated. The Informal System map use pointer at places where some issue occurs. While the formal one identifies the process and its requirements. It helps to identify operational gaps in the process at an early stage and helps in prioritizing the gaps. Top Down Chart method to draw process maps are excellent in describing the initial stage at first and then moving on to detailed steps, of a process. It actually describes the Macro-level steps in a process. That is it highlights the starting four to five main activities in a process. After describing the Macro-level, it describes the Micro steps or detailed steps of a process. The block diagrams are flexible methods for drawing the process maps. The common formats that come under block diagrams are Logical Flow, Cycle Vs Process Time Charts, responsibility matrix etc. Hence there are some more Process mapping methods that illustrate the process maps using some or the other technique.
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