Process map worksheet
One process, start to end. Fill it in with the people who do the work, then label every step.
Process
Date
It starts when…
It ends when…
| # | What happens (the real step) | Owner | Wait afterwards | W | H | R | D | Do with it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Remove · Simplify · Fix trigger · Automate · Sign-off · Keep manual | |||||||
| 2 | Remove · Simplify · Fix trigger · Automate · Sign-off · Keep manual | |||||||
| 3 | Remove · Simplify · Fix trigger · Automate · Sign-off · Keep manual | |||||||
| 4 | Remove · Simplify · Fix trigger · Automate · Sign-off · Keep manual | |||||||
| 5 | Remove · Simplify · Fix trigger · Automate · Sign-off · Keep manual | |||||||
| 6 | Remove · Simplify · Fix trigger · Automate · Sign-off · Keep manual | |||||||
| 7 | Remove · Simplify · Fix trigger · Automate · Sign-off · Keep manual | |||||||
| 8 | Remove · Simplify · Fix trigger · Automate · Sign-off · Keep manual | |||||||
| 9 | Remove · Simplify · Fix trigger · Automate · Sign-off · Keep manual | |||||||
| 10 | Remove · Simplify · Fix trigger · Automate · Sign-off · Keep manual | |||||||
| 11 | Remove · Simplify · Fix trigger · Automate · Sign-off · Keep manual | |||||||
| 12 | Remove · Simplify · Fix trigger · Automate · Sign-off · Keep manual |
Tick the leaks
W Wait. Work sits still before the next step.
H Hand-off. Work moves to another person.
R Rework. Done twice, or fixed afterwards.
D Drop. Nothing triggers the next step.
Circle what to do
Remove. If we stopped, would anyone notice?
Simplify. Fewer hand-offs or waits.
Fix trigger. Make sure the step actually starts.
Automate. Recurs, settled rule, low cost if wrong.
Sign-off. Software prepares it; a person approves every item.
Keep manual. A serious mistake, or judgment too fine for a rule.
Then: several “Fix trigger” labels mean work is being dropped, so start there. Remove and simplify before you automate anything.
From the guide: Business process mapping for small businesses · eleven88.ca/guides/business-process-mapping/Eleven88 · free Revenue Leak Report: eleven88.ca/audit/