---
name: process-mapping
description: >
  Visualize and document current and future business processes. Identify
  inefficiencies, dependencies, and improvement opportunities through detailed
  process mapping and analysis.
---

# Process Mapping

## Table of Contents

- [Overview](#overview)
- [When to Use](#when-to-use)
- [Quick Start](#quick-start)
- [Reference Guides](#reference-guides)
- [Best Practices](#best-practices)

## Overview

Process mapping creates visual representations of workflows, helping teams understand current operations, identify bottlenecks, and design improvements.

## When to Use

- Documenting existing workflows
- Identifying process improvements
- Onboarding new team members
- Discovering inefficiencies and bottlenecks
- Planning system implementations
- Analyzing customer journeys
- Automating manual processes
- Training and documentation

## Quick Start

Minimal working example:

```yaml
Mapping Approaches:

Current State (AS-IS):
  Purpose: Understand existing process
  Participants: People doing the work
  Timeline: 2-4 hours
  Output: Current workflow diagram
  Benefits: Identifies real bottlenecks

Future State (TO-BE):
  Purpose: Design improved process
  Participants: Cross-functional team
  Timeline: 4-8 hours
  Output: Improved workflow design
  Benefits: Clear vision for change

Value Stream Mapping:
  Purpose: Focus on value-added vs waste
  Participants: Process owners, operations
  Timeline: Full day
  Output: Detailed flow with timing
  Benefits: Identifies waste and delays

Swimlane Diagram:
  Purpose: Show roles and responsibilities
// ... (see reference guides for full implementation)
```

## Reference Guides

Detailed implementations in the `references/` directory:

| Guide | Contents |
|---|---|
| [Process Documentation](references/process-documentation.md) | Process Documentation |
| [Current State Analysis](references/current-state-analysis.md) | Current State Analysis |
| [Future State Design](references/future-state-design.md) | Future State Design |
| [Process Improvement Metrics](references/process-improvement-metrics.md) | Process Improvement Metrics |

## Best Practices

### ✅ DO

- Map current state first before designing changes
- Include all stakeholders in mapping sessions
- Document actual processes, not theoretical ones
- Identify waste and bottlenecks
- Design future state with team input
- Include decision points and exceptions
- Add timing and resource information
- Keep processes simple and visual
- Update maps when processes change
- Use mapping to drive continuous improvement

### ❌ DON'T

- Skip documenting current state
- Design future state without understanding current
- Over-complicate process diagrams
- Forget about edge cases and exceptions
- Ignore process performance metrics
- Create maps that nobody can understand
- Design improvements without involving people doing work
- Implement changes without validating process
- Leave outdated maps in documentation
- Ignore customer perspective