| In this world of competitive markets, economic | | | | procedures. As a visual, easy to follow |
| downturn and more restrictive regulations, it is | | | | representation, it is quicker to learn and refer to |
| more important than ever for companies to take | | | | whilst training and is less open to interpretation |
| stock of their position and focus on improvement | | | | than written procedures. Flowcharts are better |
| of procedures, methods and processes. Process | | | | way of communicating the logic of a system to all |
| improvement isn’t just another “buzz | | | | concerned. |
| word”, it’s a catalyst to streamlining | | | | 4. Process ImprovementOnce your procedures |
| business, saving costs and improving customer | | | | are mapped out visually, it is much easier to |
| satisfaction. | | | | identify issues with the processes, adapt the |
| Using process maps to visually map-out business | | | | process visually and simplify or refine the process |
| processes provides a clear way of identifying | | | | through analysis of key decision points. |
| process issues. Analysis of procedures in a visual | | | | 5. ISO Compliance, LEAN, Six Sigma integration |
| format is considerably easier, faster and more | | | | and other Regulatory ComplianceWhatever |
| efficient than the written equivalent and process | | | | compliance requirements or analytical standard |
| mapping should be considered an essential | | | | your business adheres to (or is trying to achieve), |
| ingredient in developing the forward growth of the | | | | Process mapping is probably the most efficient |
| business. A process map will help you identify the | | | | method of mapping your quality management |
| most effective way to get to your projected | | | | procedures and will undoubtedly make process |
| goal in the smallest amount of time. | | | | maintenance, inter-department communication and |
| Process mapping will ensure you reach your | | | | auditing more effective in the organisation. For |
| targets quicker and easier whilst avoiding | | | | LEAN, Six Sigma and FMEA analysis and planning, |
| unnecessary overspends in time or money. | | | | effective process mapping is the first essential |
| Let’s walk through some of the key benefits | | | | step. Further, Process Mapping integrated with |
| of process mapping your key business | | | | fully parameterized Process Analysis is essential |
| procedures: | | | | for quantitative and probabilistic based change |
| | | | evaluation. |
| 1. A Visual Approach to Procedure Writing will | | | | There are many benefits to using process maps |
| make it Clear | | | | within your business and many departments can |
| Different people may have different ideas about | | | | make use of the methods to create process |
| how a process should work. By creating a | | | | visibility amongst teams and departments. Process |
| process map diagram of the procedure, it is much | | | | maps are not restricted to any particular business |
| easier to “see” the correct flow and | | | | type or industry, universally understood and aid |
| especially see the details of each decision point in | | | | communication and generation of ideas. |
| the mapped process to reach agreement. A visual | | | | There are surprising few roadblocks to mapping |
| approach will aid understanding of the procedure in | | | | out your processes. The main one, like most |
| a more transparent way than a written | | | | jobs, is the determination to get the job done and |
| procedure. | | | | getting started is very much the key. Having |
| 2. Less Writing = more efficiencyA single | | | | the right tools for the job makes this easier. All |
| flowchart can replace pages of written procedure. | | | | too often the collection of data about the existing |
| With modern flowchart software, creating | | | | processes from the staff involved is relatively |
| complex procedures is often as fast as or faster | | | | simple. Mapping this out can be difficult and |
| than writing the procedural equivalent. The visual | | | | laborious. Selecting a tool that will take your |
| representation of a procedure is certainly much | | | | notes and put them into a visual process map for |
| easier to understand when the process is | | | | you is a major time saver and extremely |
| presented. | | | | illuminating. |
| 3. Training is more effectiveFlowcharts can be | | | | What are you waiting for? Start mapping your |
| very helpful when training staff in your company | | | | procedures today! |