Process Mapping for Business Analysts - Get Started with Process Mapping

What Is Process Mapping?

• Process mapping creates visual representations of business processes, defining what a business does, who is responsible, and how processes are completed and measured.
• The main purpose is to show the relationship between steps and inputs to establish a clear, consistent, and concise result.
• Process mapping takes a specific objective and compares it to the organization's overall objectives to ensure alignment with company values and capabilities.

The Purpose of Business Process Mapping

• Companies need business process mapping to foster a formal approach to quality management.
• Process mapping is a crucial tool for business analysts in various project types, from improvement projects to reengineering projects.
• Process maps help analyze existing workflows and focus on strategic planning.

Creating a Process Map

• A process map should be diagrammed in a way that can be understood by anyone in any business unit.
• The scope of business process mapping includes end-to-end activities, inputs (e.g., materials or labor), and the link between each step.
• Process maps can cut across multiple departments and include external partners.

Benefits of Process Mapping

• The end goal of process mapping is to make a company more effective.
• Process mapping helps optimize operations by measuring and comparing objectives across business groups.
• Other benefits of process mapping include:
  • Reducing costs
  • Improving team performance
  • Increasing employee satisfaction