Whether they realize it or not, all companies have processes. They are the basis of their business, their know-how and their long-term survival. Example processes: sales process, accounting process, recruitment process, logistics process.
Understanding your processes is the best way to make your company evolve, with the least effort. Companies that have mastered and controlled this aspect can then react more easily to internal or external transformations.
If you had only one thing to remember from this article :
Defining your processes is relatively simple, but requires a bit of method. In this article, we’ll give you all the tools and methods you need to get the job done.
What is a process?
A company is made up of a set of processes covering all its activities. Each process has a specific scope and may interact point-to-point with other processes.
A process therefore defines the sequence of different actions, tasks or contributions (consecutive and sometimes simultaneous) within a defined perimeter.
A process begins with an input event (e.g. receipt of a purchase order) and ends with an output event (e.g. storage of products).
Processes can also be used to measure various operating indicators such as resources, stock levels, lead times, customer satisfaction, error feedback, etc.
A process may or may not be computerized. The use of appropriate software is not mandatory, although it is fully recommended.
What types of process are there?
Business or operational process
Business processes group together all the actions required to respond to a customer’s request for a product or service. They represent a company’s business value chain. Example processes: pre-sales, design, production, logistics, purchasing, invoicing, after-sales service.
Business process support
Support processes group together tasks which do not directly generate added value for a customer, but which are essential to the smooth running of the company. Example processes: Human Resources, Maintenance, Information Systems, Administration, Documentation, Accounting.
Management processes
The aim of management processes is to plan, organize, coordinate, control and evaluate the resources and actions required to achieve a company’s strategic and operational objectives. Management processes include strategic planning, performance management, risk management, change management, internal communication and financial management.
Example of a company process
In this section, we share a few examples of relatively general processes. You can use them as inspiration and adapt them to model your own processes.
1. Example of a sales process and its mapping
2. Example of the recruitment process and its mapping
3. Example of a purchasing process and its mapping
Find out more in our article on process automation
Where do you start to turn your processes into assets?
Start by mapping a macro process
An example of a macro process is shown opposite. It looks complicated, but it’s not. Mapping a macro process takes just a few hours and 3 steps. We have detailed and explained the method in a dedicated guide: Mapping your company’s macro processes.
Audit each process at your own pace, then improve them one by one
This process audit will :
- Prioritization of processes according to various criteria such as number of FTEs impacted, salaries, level of frustration, software used and financial impact.
- Mapping of the processes in question, involving the relevant stakeholders
- Identifying opportunities for improvement, analyzing the added value for the customer and looking for solutions to resolve problems.
Find out more in our article on how to conduct a process audit.
Finding and testing solutions
Don’t hesitate to ask for help in these matters.
Particularly in identifying solutions, tools and drawing up specifications
Take a look at
our guide to writing
a specification
Produce a process sheet
The process sheet is a crucial tool for guaranteeing the long-term viability of an activity and ensuring simplified improvement whenever necessary. It brings together key information such as process mapping and performance indicators.
The process sheet will also facilitate the implementation of new projects, audits, controls and reviews.
However, there’s a fine line between “having a useful process sheet for your company” and “having an unused, obsolete sheet lost in the depths of your storage space”.
To explore this topic further, we have written another resource to help you produce a simple process sheet (with a sample process sheet).
You had a process example. Now it’s your turn! See you soon for more content!
Also interested in reading other articles on processes?
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