Process Mapping

Process Mapping is the visual documentation of how work flows through a business process from beginning to end. It identifies every major activity, decision point, responsibility, information flow, dependency, and output associated with a specific organizational process.

Unlike narrative process descriptions, Process Maps provide visual clarity that enables organizations to identify inefficiencies, duplicated activities, unnecessary approvals, communication gaps, bottlenecks, and opportunities for automation or simplification. Different mapping techniques exist, including flowcharts, swimlane diagrams, SIPOC models, and value stream maps, each suited to different analytical objectives.

Process Mapping serves as a foundation for process improvement because organizations must first understand how work currently occurs before designing more effective future processes.