A Quick, Ten Step Method For Documenting Business Processes
This method works best when all participants can see what’s being created by using a flip chart or white board. Make sure you have the right people in the room who know what’s involved in accomplishing the process. I discuss this and more in the free Process Improvement Playbook: Overcoming the Hurdles of Manual Processes in the Workplace . Step 1 – Process Name. To get started, write the name of the process along with a description on the flip chart. Step 2 – Process Boundaries. Identify the start and end points of the process. What triggers the process to start? How do you know when it’s done? Step 3 – Process Outputs. Identify what’s produced by the process. Step 4 – Process Inputs. Identify what’s needed to perform the process and where it comes from (e.g. paper, web, fax, etc.) Step 5 – Process Activities. Brainstorm the activities (what) that need to be done to get the process from start to finish. State these in a verb / object format (e.g., approve request