Process Mapping

Process Mapping (also known as process charting or flow charting) is one of the most frequently used tools for process analysis and optimisation. A process map is a graphical representation of a process. It can represent the entire process at a high level or sequence of task in a detailed level. A process map usually shows inputs, pathways, decision points and outputs of a process. It may also include information such as time, inventory, manpower, etc. A good process map should allow people who are unfamiliar with the process to understand the workflow. It should be in the appropriate level of detail and contain critical information like inputs, outputs, time, etc to aid further analysis.

Process Mapping Essentials

To get the most out of process mapping, it is important to take into consideration the following:

Use the appropriate type of process map
Get experienced facilitation for best results
Identify the product or service clearly to determine the related sequence of events that produce the product or service
Set clear boundaries or start/end points for the process
Mapping should be conducted together with people involved with the process

Process Mapping Symbols

The following are some of the commonly used symbols used to create process maps. A description of what each symbol represents and commonly used for is provided but it is not definite. The symbols can be used to represent other actions as long as the definition is commonly understood and consistent.

Symbol	Name	Description
	Process step	Represents a process step or task. This is the most commonly used symbol.
	Decision	Represents a decision point or a branch in the process where usually there are two options (Yes/No, Pass/Fail).
	Subroutine (Predefined Process)	Represents a formally defined process or a series of steps documented elsewhere.
	Delay	Represents any form of delays or waiting in the process.
	Input/Output (Data)	Represents the inputs in or outputs from a process.
	Document	Represents a process step that produces a document.
	Database (Magnetic Disk)	Represents a database or where data is stored.
	Start/End (Terminator)	Represents the start or stop points in a process.
	Connector	Used to connect one point in the process map to another to avoid drawing flow lines all over and crossing each other. They are usually labeled for easy reference.
	Off-Page Connector	Used to connect a process to another page.
	Extract	Represents the extraction of data or objects from a process.
	Merge	Represents the merging of process flows or steps.
	Sort	Represents a process step to sort data or materials, etc.
	Collate	Represents a process step to organise data or materials, etc.
	Display	Represents a process step where data or information is displayed.
	Alternate Process	Represents an alternative process step to the normal process.
	Manual Input	Represents a process step where manual input of data or materials is required.
	Manual Loop	Represents a process step that is not automated and a looping operation takes place.
	Preparation	Represents a process step that is of a preparation nature such as machine set-up.
	Stored Data	Represents a process step that stores data.
	Multi-documents	Represents a process step that produces several documents.
	Card	This is an old symbol used to represent a card used for machines.
	Punched Tape	This is an old symbol used to represent punched tapes that are used are inputs to a machine.
	Summing Junction	Used to connect several branches converging into the process.
	Or Junction	Used when a process diverges into several branches.

Types of Process Map

As-Is Process Map - The As-Is (also called Present State) process map is a representation of how the current process worked. It is important that this process map shows how the process works to deliver the product or service to the customer in reality, rather than how it should have been. This process map is very useful for flushing out issues in a process and also giving everyone a good understanding of the process they are targeting.

To-Be Process Map - The To-Be (also called Future State) process map is a representation of how the new process will work when the improvements were implemented. This process map is useful for visualizing how the process will look like after improvement and making sure the events flows in sequence.

Ideal Process Map - The ideal process map is a representation of how the process will work in an ideal situation with the constraints of time, cost and technology. This process map is useful to help teams challenge the current paradigm and get really creative on how they can change the process.

Multi-level Process Map

A multi-level process map is made up of several process maps of increasing level of detail. At a macro-level, the process map can describe the core process, end-to-end, in a handful of step. At this level, it is common that only the “Process step” symbol is used and the steps are mapped in a linear manner. Any process step can be expanded to reveal more details as another process map in the next level and so on. It can go into micro-level where individual steps in a task are depicted in sequence. The multi-level process map is useful because it provides the flexibility of going into the details on process steps of interest. This not only saves time but also creates a process map that is useful as a communication tool to various levels of people in the organization.

Cross-Functional Process Map

When a process involves a number of different people or functional units, it may be better to use a cross-functional process map to track who is responsible for each step. The cross-functional process map also make it easier to track the number of hand-offs (control of the process is passed to another person) which are usually sources of errors and waste. The functional lanes (also called swim lanes) represent the different people or functional units involved. Process mapping is done as usual and process steps are placed in the lanes of the functional unit who are responsible for.

Value Stream Map

The Value Stream Map is a Lean tool used to understand the flow of materials and iinformation through the value stream to produce a product or service to a customer. It is commonly used to identify opportunities for improvement in lead time. A value stream map tends to be a macro-level map and contains much more information than a typical process map. It is often used to identify bottlenecks in the process and areas that requires iimprovement which leads to Kaizen Events or improvement projects.

There are different symbols used in a value stream map and a brief description is shown in the table below.

Symbol	Name	Description
	Process	Represents a process or operation through which the material flows. Usually, detailed process steps are not shown unless there are significant inventory build up or batch transfers.
	External Sources	Represents the supplier or the customer. The supplier is the start point and it is usually placed on the upper left of the map. The customer is the end point and it is usually placed on the upper right.
	Shipment	Represents the transportation of materials from an external source or finished goods to the customers.
	Data Box	This symbol is placed under any symbol to display critical information. Typically it displays information such as frequency of shipment, batch size, material information underneath external sources symbol. For the process symbol, it typically display information such as cycle time, change over time, uptime, processing time, available capacity, batch size, yield, etc.
	Inventory	Represents the level of inventory before a process. The level of inventory is displayed below the symbol.
	Operator	Represents operator(s). The number of available operators is shown below the symbol.
	Push Arrow	Represents the movement of materials from one process to another. It is used when the previous process ‘pushes’ materials to the next process regardless of whether it is needed by the next process.
	FG to Customer	Represents movement of finished goods to the customer. It can also be used to represent movement of raw materials from the supplier to the factory.
	Electronic Information Flow	Represents an electronic flow of electronic data or information.
	Manual Information Flow	Represents the general flow of information.
	Withdrawal	Represents the pull of material, usually from the supermarket.
	FIFO	Represents first-in-first-out inventory.
	Withdrawal Kanban	Used to signal withdrawal of parts from a supermarket.
	Production Kanban	Used to signal an upstream process to produce parts for a downstream process, usually a pre-defined quantity.
	Kanban in Batches	Represents Kanbans arriving in batches.
	Kanban Post	Represents a location where Kanbans are placed.
	Signal Kanban	Used to signal a process to change over and start production of a particular part. This is typically used when the inventory level in the supermarket drops below the minimum level.
	Sequence Pull Ball	Represents a pull system that signals a supplying process to produce a predetermined type and quantity of part, without using a supermarket.
	Supermarket	Represents a stock of inventory where the next process or customer can draw upon when required. The upstream process will replenish the stock when it runs low. It is used to reduce overall inventory level and when a continuous flow is not possible.
	Buffer	Represents safety stock required to continue production against problems such as downtime or fluctuations in demand.
	Load Levelling	Used to batch Kanbans to level the production volume and mix over a period of time.
	Schedule	Represents a production scheduling operation or unit.
	Go See Scheduling	Represents a visual inspection or gathering of information.
	Kaizen	Used to highlight areas that required improvement and plan Kaizen Events to do so.
	Timeline (Value Add Time)	Represents a timeline where activities are considered as value-adding.
	Timeline (Non Value Add Time)	Represents a timeline where activities are considered as non value-adding.

Example

Facilitation

Process mapping is more effective when conducted in a group and in a group setting, good facilitation is essential. The facilitator must be able to steer the proceeding of the event, challenge conventional wisdom and keep the group focused on the objective. The group must be made up of people with domain knowledge but this is not necessary for the facilitator. In fact, the lack of experience forces him to clarify and question the current paradigm. The following are general good practices in process mapping facilitation:

Identify target process/product and establish clear objectives for the event
Determine the boundaries and make sure the scope is manageable to be completed within the event
Prepare the room and a big piece of paper for mapping
Open the event and brief all members of the objective and ground rules
Chart the process
Clarify and add in more details
Summarise, ask for feedback and plan the next steps

Demo Video

Draw as you type

Draw using the toolbar