FAQS

A process map is also called a flow chart. This is a visual tool that lays out the steps of a process. In a business context, a process map can be used to show employees or stakeholders how processes are accomplished. 

To create your own process map, follow these steps: 

• Determine the boundaries of the process you want to map. Processes are often tangled up in adjacent processes, so it's important to make this distinction from the beginning
• Determine the actions involved in the process and put them in order. 
• Assign symbols to each action. Common process map symbols include:
  • Oval: start and end of a process
  • Rectangle: Action
  • Diamond: Decision point
  • Arrows: Direction of the process
• Draw out the process map using the symbols. You can use Microsoft Word or any free process mapping/flow chart creators online (there are many!).
• Review the process map and make sure it makes sense to an outside reader.

Below is an example process map:

Figure 1. Example of a flow chart with one decision. Taken from: Creately. (2018). "Flowcharting basics: How to create a simple flowchart." Retrieved from https://creately.com/blog/diagrams/all-you-need-to-know-about-flowcharting/. Copyright 2018 by Creately.

For information on creating process maps in Microsoft Word, see our Answer here. 

References

Creately. (2018). Flowcharting basics: How to create a simple flowchart. Retrieved from https://creately.com/blog/diagrams/all-you-need-to-know-about-flowcharting/

LucidChart. (n.d.) How to make a process map. Retrieved from https://www.lucidchart.com/pages/process-mapping/how-to-make-a-process-map#top-info

Salemme, I. (n.d.) How to process map: A step by step guide. Retrieved from https://www.pipefy.com/blog/business-process-management/how-to-map-your-processes-a-step-by-step-guide/