Enterprise process mapping

Enterprise process mapping is intended to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization’s operations. A process map is a graphical representation of process and information flow, using standardized abbreviations and symbols. Mapping out processes in an organization is an introduction to analysis in terms of optimization and implementation of improvements.

Motives for creating process maps

Organizations make the decision to create accurate key process maps when they:

• Implement quality management systems,
• Implement process management,
• Begin standardization of procedures in the company,
• Implement a process monitoring system using an IT system,
• Are looking for areas to improve or are looking for ways to improve process efficiency,
• Create integrated supply chains,
• Want to improve efficiency of production processes.
• Looking for opportunities to reduce production costs.

Process mapping – stages

We start the process of mapping processes by training the people involved in creating the flow map. People involved in value stream mapping should be familiar with the VSM methodology, designations and abbreviations that will be used while creating the map.

Creating an enterprise map can be broken down into 3 basic steps.

1. The first step is to create a map of the current state – showing the current situation in the company.
2. The next step is to create a map of the future (target) state – the state, which we want to achieve in our company in the future.
3. The last and most important step is to create an action plan, which must be performed in order to achieve the goal assumed in the map of the future state.

Based on the map created, we are able to:

• Observe the flow of materials and information within the company and between the company and contractors (e.g., types of information, frequency of orders and deliveries).
• See where buffers (inventory) are located in our plant.
• Observe process limitations, or so-called process bottlenecks.
• Observe the amount of value added throughout the manufacturing process.
• Identify waste (7 major wastes – muda) in the observed process.
• Observe the amount of human resources used in the process.
• See the process and its relations with other processes in the organization from a broader perspective.

Process mapping – benefits for the organization

Creating an enterprise map that follows VSM principles allows you to:

• Identify the sources of waste within the organization.
• Reduce the time of material / information flow within the company.
• Minimize the level of inter-operational inventories.
• Increase liquidity of a company.
• Improve organization of activities occurring within the organization.
• Increase the efficiency of key processes in the company (number of operations with added value in relation to the number of all operations in the process).

Properly prepared process map brings many benefits to the organization. Thanks to the preparation of the current state, the company becomes aware of its imperfections and knows what it should work on in order to develop. The future state is a vision of how the company can function after the implementation of the activities specified in the action plan. Vision of an efficient enterprise.