Small Business Process Mapping
Introduction to process mapping
Process mapping is a visual representation of a process in your small business's operations. It can be used to document how a process works in your small business, identify areas for improvement, and communicate the process to others. Process maps can be created for any type of process, from simple to complex.
There are many different types of process maps, but they all share some common elements.
These elements include:
Starting point
The process map should identify the starting point of the process.
Steps
The process map should identify the steps that are involved in the process.
Decision points
The process map should identify any decision points in the process.
End points
The process map should identify the end point of the process.
Process maps can be created using a variety of tools, including pen and paper, whiteboards, and software. Once a process map has been created, it can be used to improve the process by identifying areas for improvement and communicating the process to others.
Here are some of the benefits of process mapping:
Process mapping can help small businesses to identify and eliminate waste in their processes and operations. This can lead to faster turnaround times, lower costs, and increased productivity.
Improved efficiency
Process mapping can help small businesses to improve the quality of their products and services. This can be done by identifying and addressing gaps in the process, as well as by ensuring that all steps are completed correctly and efficiently.
Increased effectiveness
Enhanced transparency
Process mapping can help small businesses to improve communication and collaboration between employees. This can be done by providing a visual representation of the process, as well as by identifying who is responsible for each step.
Why you should be process mapping
Only when you truly understand a process can you improve it
- to save you time, and to save you money.
Making changes without truly understanding how a process is working today, and why, can lead to costly mistakes. It can also create conditions that make it difficult for staff to work effectively and often creates further problems.
If you do not measure a process, you will not be able to manage it effectively and if you cannot manage a process, you cannot improve it.
It has been estimated that people working in organisations can waste about 15 – 20% of their time by re-doing things that are wrong, chasing outcomes without results, querying incomplete instructions, doing other people’s jobs and so on.
Process mapping enables an organisation to:
✓ Establish what is currently happening, how predictably and why;
✓ Measure how efficiently the process is working;
✓ Gather information to understand where waste and inefficiency exist and their impact on the customer or partners;
✓ Develop new improved processes to reduce or eliminate inefficiency.
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WHAT PEOPLE SAY...
"Luke has been absolutely vital in supporting our academy trust to overhaul and streamline our HR processes. In a short period already, this has massively aided communication throughout our trust as well as accountability and has also provided us with an excellent audit trail."
KIER GLOVER | OPERATIONS DIRECTOR |
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★★★★★