OVERVIEW:

The distinction between processes and procedures is significant. The difference between a procedure and a process is superficial. It is used by managers to evaluate the effectiveness of their company. A procedure however is much more specific, because it contains precise instructions regarding how an employee should perform the task. Process Definition

As mentioned previously, processes are referred to as .refer the procedures that need to be followed to attain a result. Process vs procedure:

The typical process:

 

The typical process is comprised of three components including input, procedures, and results.

The number of processes you have in your business will be contingent upon its size as well as the industry it operates in and its objectives. It’s important to remember that a single procedure can be used across multiple departments. But, every department is bound to follow specific procedures that are specific to their particular goals.

For instance, an organization’s marketing department could collect lead data via the use of a landing page which is then automatically transmitted to the CRM system used by sales. Each department is involved in this process of generating leads.

Let’s now have a closer look at how we define “procedure.”

Procedure Definition

Procedures provide specific guidelines for how to finish specific tasks within an overall procedure.

The procedures also define who is to carry out the specific tasks.

A set of steps that are combined to achieve a goal results in an action. Therefore, procedures can be considered in terms of “the building blocks,” or steps in a process.

 Process and Procedure Example1

Fast food outlets make hamburgers. The procedure is a straightforward one. It all begins with the customer placing an order. The staff gets to work cooking the patty, making the hamburger roll, and serving the hamburger to the customer.

In this easy procedure, employees of the fast food outlets adhere to a variety of rules. For instance, the proprietor of the shop may stipulate that the sales associate must greet the customer and smile. They could also offer a script to guide the conversation.  Think about it this way even if the salesperson is unfriendly and rude and unfriendly, they have nevertheless completed a piece of the hamburger-making process from the time the order is recorded. Of course, the customer isn’t likely to return and the salesperson is still completing the task. This “what” criterion has been satisfied.

However, if the person at the counter is following a protocol that outlines the norm for interactions with customers The entire client experience alters. The task is the same. The assistant creates the order. But, the client is satisfied due to the fact that the experience of placing an order was much superior. Process vs procedure:

Example 2 Process and. Procedure

Steve is the owner of seven McDonald’s franchises. Like many franchise owners, Steve was attracted to the franchise model due to its tested procedures.

Examples of regular McDonald’s procedures include taking customer orders, passing orders on to cooks, and then delivering orders once they are they are ready. It is true that Steve has to put his effort (input) into achieving his goal of maintaining a constant flow of patrons (outcome).

But, Steve doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. McDonald’s management has spent many hours developing reliable procedures (procedures) to create reliable products.

 

Why Document Processes and Procedures?

In business, you’ll want to be sure that everything is done “right.” What’s more, you want your employees to be able to do it correctly every time. If a process that converts inputs into outputs can be repeated there is a chance to document the procedure and process to ensure your staff knows the right steps to take and how to accomplish it.

In the course of your journey, you could discover that things aren’t working as smoothly as you’d like them to. Perhaps a variable that you didn’t originally plan for is a factor. You discover there’s an opportunity for error in what you believed was a watertight procedure with enough procedural data. You might think that you’ve discovered a way to increase the efficiency of the process.

Now is the time to re-examine the process or process that’s not performing well and determine ways to enhance the process or procedure. Did you make a mistake? Did the quality not match what you’d like it to be? What can you do to create security measures to ensure that you won’t repeat the same mistake?

Advantages of Mapping Workflows

Workflow diagrams are illustrations of tools designed to understand the flow of events that occur within a particular task. They are also referred to as “process diagrams,” managers draw flowcharts in order to illustrate the steps required to complete procedures and processes.

 

The benefits of mapping out your workflow comprise:

• • Uncovering The hidden Bottlenecks: Every organization aims to cut down on waste and enhance its processes. However, it can be difficult to determine which areas need to be improved without visual aids. Workflow mapping can help identify the problem areas, identify them, and then fix issues so that management can reduce unnecessary process fat.

  • Enhancing compliance:

  • No matter how small the organization, the complexity of regulatory requirements and auditing procedures can make the most basic processes appear difficult. In addition, mapping workflows could help to visualize issues that have been overlooked that could be later the cause of penalty charges in the event of a problem that is not addressed.
  • simplifying employee onboardingDespite all efforts to keep turnover low, employees tend to move on. Workflow maps make it easier to communicate complex processes with greater depth. Workflow maps can also be helpful when it comes to redistributing employees and assigning new duties.
  • Enhancing TeamworkWorkflow mapping helps all employees within the company maintain a unified view of the goals, big and small. In addition, it assists in connecting all employees to SOPs, making them feel like they are part of “the team.” Such friendship is crucial to establishing an atmosphere that is thriving by collaboration.

Other advantages of workflow mapping are helping to enforce best practices, decreasing the need for troubleshooting by management, and reducing the chance of human errors.

Use Process Management Software for Work Instructions

As we’ve demonstrated the processes and procedures work in tandem. They provide businesses with structure, efficiency, as well as security measures for quality control. The latter provides step-by-step guidelines that employees follow to achieve reliable results.

Knowing the distinction between business processes and. procedures is the initial step towards adopting the more formal Continuous Improvement program techniques such as Lean Six Sigma. Are you looking to simplify your efforts to improve processes and improve the reliability of your equipment and improve profits? If so, we encourage you to download MaintainX’s new CMMS.

Our process management software that’s mobile-friendly and lets users automate repeating work orders, modify procedural templates, and interact with team members using instant messages. It’s great to have a top-level overview of the operational processes with detailed metrics for reporting available at your fingertips.