No, I haven’t gone mad when I say microwaves are great for lunch, but not for making business decisions. As a business leader, you want to make the best, most informed decisions possible for your company. But what I find is that often, the business leaders I engage with either don’t understand process mapping, or they’ve never encountered a true business operations expert. So, what does a business operation expert and microwaves have in common? Well, the way they function, although they may look similar, are on the opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to business.
So, what does a business operation expert and microwaves have in common? Well, the way they function although they may look similar are on the opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to business. What I mean is you might have a whole meal that you want to cook in a microwave for fast cooking or you are heating up your lunch which is what I was referring to in the title. But when it comes to business decisions they’re not made as easy as maybe heating up your lunches. I’m talking about as you may have guessed if you follow our blog process mapping. Process mapping is a very long, sometimes tedious, and does require an actual operation professional to draw exercise into truly understanding and visually seeing the actual current state of a business operations.
What is Process Mapping?
In order to understand how to make improvements to a process, you first need to document how the process currently works. This is known as “as-is” mapping because it captures how things are done today. As-is mapping is essential for understanding what steps need to happen in order for something to be completed.
Types of Process Maps
There are different types of process maps that can be used, depending on the level of detail needed. The most common type of process map is a high-level overview, which outlines the steps in a process without going into too much detail. This type of map is useful for getting a general understanding of how a process works.
Another type of process map is a swim lane diagram, which breaks down a process into different steps and assigns each step to a specific person or team. This type of map is useful for understanding who is responsible for each step in a process.
The most detailed type of process map is a step-by-step diagram, which outlines every single step in a process, including all inputs and outputs. This type of map is useful for understanding complex processes and identifying potential bottlenecks.
As you can see, there is a world of difference between process mapping and attribute sampling. Process mapping is about understanding and documenting how a process currently works, while attribute sampling is about maintaining statistical control during inspection by attributes. If you’re looking to make improvements or changes to a process, you need to first understand how it currently works. That’s where process mapping comes in. And if you want to ensure quality control in your product or service, attribute sampling is the way to go.
Process mapping is an essential tool for any business that wants to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. By documenting how a process currently works, businesses can identify areas where improvements can be made. There are different types of process maps that can be used, depending on the level of detail needed. The most important thing is to get started and start improving your processes today!
A part of this preparation is about choosing the right consultant. We are experts in the process improvement and will help you uncover the root cause to your business issues. To find out more or book a consultation, get in touch with us today.
