Eskom Procurement Book 2015

PURCHASING ANALYSIS TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES

Figure 8.1 provides an example of a linear business process map.

Figure 8.1: Example of a linear process map.

8.4.5 PROCESS MAPPING LEVELS

Usually an improvement teamwill initially draw a high-level process map to define and understand key business processes and examine how they work together. With high-level process mapping, the intent is to obtain a manageable overall picture of the key processes, showing the complete chain of related activities within the business. In a cross-functional process map, the highest or ‘top level’ map for a process is usually one box with the inputs/outputs, scope, interfaces and measures defined. The next level, with six to 10 boxes considered a high level, enables organisations to 1. Determine where the process starts and ends, 2. Identify what is included in the process, 3. Name the process, 4. State the purpose of the process, along with its inputs and outputs, 5. Create several process map-flow charts of the process at a high level, and 6. Identify products and services of the process. Each box within the high level can then be redefined as a more detailed process flow chart. Each succeeding process flow chart activity is defined with a hierarchical numbering scheme and is in a child-parent relationship with the previous level. An example of a simple cross-functional business process map showing ever greater levels of detail is shown in Figure 8.2 for making breakfast.

Figure 8.2: Example of a cross-functional business process map.

181 CHAPTER 8