Business process mapping is generally defined as a visual display of the steps involved in a business process from start to finish. Process mapping draws a concise picture of the sequences of tasks needed to bring a product or service from inception to completion.

There are different techniques, but here we’ll take you through process mapping best practice so you can see how to get the most out of the exercise.

Best practice process mapping…

Goes beyond diagrams

Process mapping needs to be more than just a series of diagrams and pictures. It needs to be a living entity – a work in progress – that is easily maintainable and updateable by the business going forwards.

Is understood by your people, not just consultants

The process mapping needs to be accessible and understandable by the people in the business.

Utilises the right software

The right software will support and accelerate process planning. As an effective driver of change, it will help you build a fast and effective business case for transformation and allow you to create a framework for all your core business operations. Ultimately helping you identify and eliminate wasteful practices and costs. Together with experience and business focus, Clarasys uses leading software BusinessOptix in its process mapping.

BusinessOptix recognised by Gartner as a 2015 ‘Cool Vendor’ in Business Process Management 

Is focused on priorities

Look at ‘scenarios’ to identify the different processes important in a business e.g. contract renewals, retention, etc., and ensure the process mapping focuses on what is fundamentally important – the priorities. Too often when businesses attempt process mapping themselves they try to cover off everything and ultimately add to the confusion rather than simplify things, which is exactly the opposite of what you are trying to do.

Involves expert business analysts

Your mapping should include business analysts who have access to end users in the business, this will ensure you have a balanced process map that reflects all facets of your organisation and what is really happening. The approach should ensure you don’t get bogged down in too much detail, leading only to confusion.

Is practical

Business mapping must be practical with a short and defined timeline and should also deliver benefits to the business quickly.

Instils a business process legacy

If you involve consultants in your business process mapping and transformation, you should be left with the knowledge and capability to continue managing processes internally – Clarasys works hard to ensure that clients can continue improving processes long after the consultants have left the building.

Plus, using BusinessOptix, our clients are empowered with the tools to run accurate reports as well as extract data, and knowledge with ease. Similarly, they can feed data in, helping with the creation and maintenance of an overall knowledge base, shared throughout the company. You can take a look at a recent case study here.

The next step? Talk to an expert

Get in touch with Matt Cheung to find out more >