Process Mapping Techniques and Examples

Process Mapping

• Process mapping visually depicts the sequence of activities, material flow, and information in a process.
• Training: Maps serve as guides for new employees, illustrating the proper procedures.
• Problem Solving: Identifying problem areas within the process becomes clearer, enabling swift solutions.
• Standardization: Ensures consistency across shifts, facilities, and locations, reducing variations and waste.
• Big Picture: Clearly demonstrates how individual departments and employees contribute to the overall process.
• Compliance: Ensures adherence to industry regulations by visually depicting compliance procedures. The map can be used to prove compliance to inspectors.
• Team Involvement: Involves employees from all steps, promoting engagement and uncovering improvement opportunities.
• Different versions of a process map can exist, including: what the procedure says, what the operator does, and what the future state can be. Hidden work should be considered. Any process has at least three versions: what you think it is, what it actually is, and what it should be.
• Process maps often only show a discrete group of activities, inputs, outputs, and resources, but don't always consider customer requirements. Value Stream Maps consider the whole process and start and end with the customer.

Process Mapping Examples

• Various process map types are illustrated, including simple flowcharts, swim lane maps, and functional maps, as well as Value Stream Maps.
• Examples include: Procurement, Goods Inwards, Documentation Review, Electricity Generation, and general business processes.
• These examples show specific business unit, IT, Finance, and Corporate involvement in a process.
• A spaghetti diagram visually shows the actual movement of people or products through a process. This helps identify redundancies, bottlenecks, and wasted time. Identifying areas where many walkways overlap shows congestion and unnecessary motion (a waste). It is a tool for identifying major intersection points not noticed otherwise.