If you want to make process maps that are actually useful, then you'll need to know how to capture your business processes accurately, and visualise that information correctly using a process map that is easy to understand and apply to your business. This is why I created a downloadable process mapping checklist - so you can check off the appropriate steps as you go and come out at the other end with an effective, accurate process map.
Why Use Process Mapping?
Process maps are generally used to visualise existing processes and, in the long run, render a system more:
- efficient
- user-friendly
- task-oriented
In many cases, organisations also use process maps to facilitate their move from a wordy paper-based business management system to a smarter mobile solution.
The Process Mapping Checklist
The following checklist is split into three areas;
- Organising a Process Mapping Workshop
- Running a Process Mapping Workshop
- Finalising a Process Map
These three areas are all very necessary to help you to capture accurate and complete process data and create an effective process map from start to finish.
Download the Process Mapping Checklist
For this checklist to be the most effective possible, you'll need to download it, print it off and tick the boxes as you complete each exercise. I encourage you to 
by clicking on the link.
Need Help With The Checklist?
This checklist was created as a companion piece to your process mapping project, so if you don't know what process mapping is or have trouble understanding all the steps laid out in the checklist, you'll first have to get more familiar with the idea of process mapping.
For each step of the process mapping checklist, there is a companion article:
Here's our blog on how to organise a process mapping workshop
Here's our blog on how to run a process mapping workshop
This is our blog on how to finalise an accurate process map
If you are a true process mapping beginner (or just want to take it back to first basics), I'll explain a few starter points...
What is a Process Map?
- a process map is defined as the visual display of processes that take place in your business
- it can also visualise who's responsible for those processes
- generally speaking, both your As-Is and To-Be processes should be mapped
- the As-Is maps describe the present state of your business processes
- the To-Be maps determine the desired future state of where you want your business processes to be after the continuous improvement project.
To the uninitiated, process mapping can be tricky to understand and even harder to get right on the first try.
Understanding how to capture data consistently is a tricky process which is why I have included information on the Noun-Verb method of process mapping and information that will clarify the meaning of the symbols used to capture the key process data below.
This does not mean that you cannot insert your own methodology or use other process mapping tools or symbols, it is simply the best way to represent process mapping in its purest form.
The Noun-Verb Method
Triaster uses the Noun-Verb Method of process mapping. It is a powerful and simple method that has delivered process diagrams that are useful to hundreds of organisations, and at the same time to business analysts.
Understanding the Noun-Verb Method means understanding the definition of a business process. A business process transforms one thing into another. A Customer Order is transformed into a Delivered Product. A Supplier Invoice is transformed into a Supplier Payment. A Staff Vacancy is transformed into a New Employee. A process then is defined as:
a set of interrelated or interacting activities which transforms inputs into outputs
The Noun-Verb Method simply adopts this definition of a process, and applies it rigorously.
A process map drawn using Noun-Verb is a diagram that clearly identifies the main steps involved in performing the process and the items used and produced when the process is complete.
In our process capture method, the term Activity is used to describe something you do, and the term Deliverable is used to describe something you produce.
Activities are the steps of the process and are described using verbs, Deliverables are the items produced (or ‘delivered’) when each step of the process is complete and are described using nouns.
The diagram below shows part of a map of a recruitment process. In this diagram, the Activities (inputs) are ‘Define job role’ and ‘Obtain sign off’. The other symbols are the Deliverables (outputs).
The rules of the Noun-Verb method are very
simple:
- Each Deliverable is described using a noun; each Activity is described using a verb.
- A recommendation rather than a rule is that in the process map itself, no two verbs can be directly connected, and no two nouns can be directly connected. This recommendation can be strongly or weakly enforced depending on the nature of the content being produced and the level of detail.
Process Mapping Symbols Explained
The symbols/shapes used in a process map highlight how the process mapping picture connects. Every step in a process map is represented by using different symbols that assign a specific, consistent meaning to every step in the sequence. This means that just by looking at a symbol, you can identify if something is an input, output or a decision. Of course, there are many other symbols you can use to assign to your own process maps - as needed per the level of complexity - however inputs, outputs and decisions represent process mapping in its simplest form.
Without a standard template of symbols, process maps can become difficult to interpret and lack uniformity across your business processes. If you're not sure which shapes/symbols you are going to need for process mapping, make sure you download our simple guide explaining the most common symbols used in process mapping.
Now all you need to do is actually plan and organise your process mapping workshop. A massive tip I'll leave you with, so that you can easily identify the process stakeholders for each process you will map, is to create a full RACI Matrix.
Use a RACI Matrix
a RACI Matrix will Identify all the key process mapping stakeholders (people who are responsible for the process, accountable for the process and consulted on a process). Using a RACI Matrix is a great way of getting simple visual representation of exactly who should be in a room discussing any change with a specific process (this should be the RAC part of the RACI – Responsible, Accountable and Consulted).
This should be enough information to help you create an accurate process map from start to finish, but just in case it isn't, fill out this quick survey with your unique process mapping problem and I'll get back to you with an answer as soon as possible.
I hope this checklist proves helpful and if you have any suggestions for improvements to the checklist, I would love to hear them in the comments section at the bottom.
Good luck!
Related Articles:
How Much Does Quality Management software Cost: Pricing & Budgeting
As Is To Be: The Essential Business Model for Process Improvement
Calculating Return on Investment (ROI) on Business Process Management (BPM)