Review Process Map

A process map is a visual representation of how work moves through a process. It can show steps, decisions, handoffs, actors, inputs, outputs, delays, and the relationships among them.

It puts the work on a page so people can see what happens, in what order, and who or what is involved. A simple flowchart is one common kind of process map.

Teams often describe the same process differently. Mapping the current work creates a shared object that can reveal hidden steps, unclear ownership, bottlenecks, rework, and differences between the documented process and actual practice.

A team maps a service request from intake through triage, approval, assignment, completion, and follow-up. The map shows that requests wait twice for the same approval and that no role owns the final customer update.

A process map is not automatically the official, ideal, or complete process. It represents a chosen scope and level of detail. A useful map should say whether it depicts current practice, a proposed future state, or both.

Put the work on the page so the team can see it together.

* [[process|Process]] * [[workflow|Workflow]] * [[actor|Actor]] * [[bottleneck|Bottleneck]] * [[input|Input]] * [[output|Output]]

* [American Society for Quality, “Flowchart”](https://asq.org/quality-resources/flowchart) — process maps as visual representations of steps, decisions, inputs, outputs, people, time, and measures. * [American Society for Quality, “Process Analysis Tools”](https://asq.org/quality-resources/process-analysis-tools) — process visualization as a tool for understanding and improving work.

* [RS AI Learning Lab, “Friction Mapping: Understanding Work Before Recommending Solutions”](../../../../modules/friction-mapping-understanding-work-before-recommending-solutions/module.md) * [American Society for Quality, Flowchart template and guidance](https://asq.org/quality-resources/flowchart)