1. Boise State University
Process Maps
Mira Sykorova
OperMngt 345
Boise State University

2. Process Maps: Training Session
What is a process?
Why use process maps?
Attributes of process maps
Process mapping symbols
How to create process maps?
A real world example
Types of process maps
Summary
References

3. What Is a Process?
A group of activities which , together, achieve a specific goal.
The essence of operation management: inputs are transformed into outputs.

4. Process Examples Sales order processing Demand forecasting
Sales operations planning
Bought-ledger invoice processing
New product development

5. Visual Tools of a Process
Process Maps:
Visual Tools of a Process

6. Process Maps Allow To: Understand a process
Simplify the process based on that understanding
Implement or eliminate processes through a multi-step methodology
Redesign the process

7. Process Maps Cont’d Diagrams which show each step of the process
Similar to flowcharts
Represent the logic necessary to achieve the desired result
An example to the last point on this slide: If there is no stock of part number then place an order for part and wait for it to be delivered otherwise (if there is stock) schedule its use in manufacturing.

8. Why Use Process Maps?
“ Everything from globalization to collaborative relationships demands maps that are clear and can be read by all the partners in the process. Process models are those maps. We use them to navigate our way through complex business practices of today.”
Chris Cummins
Vice President, Process Development Group
Uniform Code Council, Inc.

9. Process Maps: A Picture Is Worth 1000 Words
An example of a process: This graphic shows operations as a transformation process.
© 2000 by Prentice-Hall Inc
Russell/Taylor Oper Mgt 3/e

10. Attributes of Process Maps
Intuitive
Understood at every level of an organization
Sophisticated enough to model complex activities
Prevent ambiguity
Make effective use of time available to analyze a process
Identify process-related issues
These are just of couple of process maps advantages.

11. Terms to Know Before We Start Mapping
Alternative Path: One or more options are presented that create a path off the primary path.
Decision Criteria: When incorporating alternative paths into a map, there must be a choice to be made between 2 or more options; the question being asked should be specific.
Inspection Point: A pass/fail decision to test an output in process.

12. Key Terms (Cont’d)
Input: Materials, money, people, information, or other factors that are essential to the process
Output: The end result -- the product or service that a customer receives
Parallel Process: Another process that can be executed at the same time as the primary process
Primary Process: The tasks must be carried out in order to achieve a desired output from given inputs
Parallel process usually cuts down on the time of the primary process but often requires more resources.

13. Process Mapping Symbols
The rectangle represents each task of step within the map
The parallelogram represents inputs
The oval represents the process boundary
The diamond represents a decision ?

14. How to Create a Process Map?
Select a process
2. Define the process
Goals
Input
Output
Define the process: 1. Describe how your project applies to your goals.
2. Name the output of the process.
3. Determine the inputs for the process.

15. 3. Map the Primary Process
Define the tasks that will be required to reach the desired output
Incorporate appropriate symbols in your map
Make sure to show parallel processes

16. 4. Map Alternative Processes
Map points along the primary process where decision are made
Recognize one or more alternative paths
Merge those paths back into the primary path
Those points create alternative paths.
The decision whether the path will merge back into the primary path or not will depend on the scope of the decision(s) to be made.

17. 5. Map Inspection Points Use these points to error-proof your map
Useful to better satisfy customers and/or cut down on costs and time
Points could lead into rework loops or do-over loops

18. 6. Use Your Map to Improve the Process
Eliminate non-value-added steps
Set standards for the process
What will pass and what will fail
The non-value-added steps are not critical to your desired outputs

19. Real World Example: Mapping the Student Course Registration Process
Define the process
Output: schedule
The goal of the student: obtain classes needed to graduate
Inputs: the course catalog, an advisor, a computer, and professors
Map the primary process
Tasks of the registration process in logical order

20. Student Course Registration Process (Cont’d)
Map alternative paths
3 points in the map where alternative paths are necessary
Has registration started? YES/NO
Are the classes still available YES/NO
If not, can the student get an override? YES/NO
Diamonds are the appropriate symbols
Alternative paths merge back to the primary process

21. Registration Process Map (Simplified)
Receive course catalog
Find out registration period
YES
Register via Internet
Are my classes closed?
Receive schedule
Choose classes
Can I get signed in?
Can I register?
Register later NO

22. Benefits of Process Maps
Simplified processes
Higher efficiencies in employee tasks
Greater understanding of processes and procedures
Cost savings from elimination of redundant or unnecessary tasks
“Opportunities” are addressed and corrected faster
Better training programs

23. Maps Used in the Reengineering Process
Customer
requirements
data
Strategic
directive
Goals & specifications
for process performance
High-level
process map
Detailed
Pilot study of
new design
Full-scale implementation
Benchmark
Design
principles
Key
performance
measures
Baseline
analysis
Innovative
ideas
Model
validation
The most frequently used in the reengineering process are the high-level map and the detailed process map.
© 2000 by Prentice-Hall Inc
Russell/Taylor Oper Mgt 3/e

24. 1. High-level Process Maps
Useful in beginning of the redesign process
Contain the essential parts of a process
Focus on performance goal
Helpful for generating innovative ideas

25. High-level Process Maps Cont’d
Input
Output
Subprocess
Performance goal
This is an example of a high-level process map.
© 2000 by Prentice-Hall Inc
Russell/Taylor Oper Mgt 3/e

26. 2. Detailed Process Maps
Prepared for each subprocess in the high-level map
Guide decisions on allocation of resources
Determine and set in place key performance measures
A detailed map guides decisions on allocation of resources and work methods. To guarantee that the detailed map will produce the desired results, key performance measures are determined and set in place. The model is also validated through simulation, interviewing, and partial testing.

27. Summary Process maps are:
Simple and effective ways of visualizing and understanding of a process
Valuable and unique quality improvement tools
Waste management tools
Everyone involved can take part in improving the process

28. References Internet Berry college; Campbell school of business
Chris Cumming , process development group, uniform code council, inc.
Integrated process solutions limited, 1999
Energy consulting group, Georgia,

29. References Cont’d Books
5. RCG university: business process reengineering
6. Jack Mulhern, Penn state university, 2002
Books
Galloway, Dianne. Mapping work processes. Milwaukee: ASQ quality press, 1994
Russell/Taylor. Operation management 3/e. Prentice-hall, 2000