How To Create A Process Map: A Step-by-step Guide

Process maps are a great way to understand your business processes and improve them. In this article, we will show you how to create a process map in 5 easy steps. 

The purpose of a process map is to help identify and track the flow of work in an organisation. By understanding the process, you can optimise it and ensure that work is done efficiently and effectively. It enables you to look at current state and visually map out what a future state could look like. 

Creating a process map can be a daunting task, but it is well worth it in the end. By following these simple steps, you can create a process map that will help your business run more smoothly. 

Step 1: Gather Information

Start by gathering information about the organisation’s current processes. You’ll need to collect information about how work is currently done, as well as any specific requirements or constraints that affect workflow. Once you have this information, you can begin to define the processes involved.

Step 2: Define the Processes

Once you have information about the organisation’s current processes, it’s time to define them. A process map is a visual representation of the organisation’s processes, so it’s important to be clear and concise. Start by drawing out a rough diagram of the process, then fill in details as you know them. 

Step 3: Map the Processes.

Now that you have a basic process map, it’s time to add links between different processes. This will help to ensure that work flows smoothly between departments and functions. Add arrows and labels to indicate how work flows between processes.

Step 4: Evaluate and Refine by Identifying Weaknesses and Opportunities

Now that you have a process map, it’s time to evaluate and refine it. Look for areas where work can be streamlined or improved, and make changes as needed. Keep track of any changes that are made to the process map, as well as any improvements that are made to workflow. Evaluate the impact of changes on client satisfaction and value add (VA) vs non-value add (NVA) tasks.

Step 5: Communicate and Document Your Changes. 

Now that you have made changes to the process map, it’s important to communicate these changes to all stakeholders and provide adequate training to ensure it becomes the new standard. This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and understands how work flows in the organisation.

If you are interested in learning more about process mapping, or need assistance in running process mapping on your site, reach out and we would be happy to talk about your training or consulting needs.