The Components of a Process

I often get asked what goes into a Process Definition Document (PDD). Certified Process Design Engineers (CPDE) learn that PDDs should include:

Policies
A process overview
Roles and Responsibilities
Process Maps
Activities
Vocabulary

Policies

Policies specific to a process should be included in the Process Definition Document. A policy is a formal document that describes the overall intentions and direction of a service provider, as expressed by senior management. Company policies are used to guide actions toward a specific outcome. They must be specific, measurable and underpinned by the process.

Overview
The overview section contains the process description, objectives, goals, owner boundaries, triggers, supplier data, inputs, high level activities, outputs, customers and metrics.

Roles and Responsibilities
Roles and responsibilities define and describe the active participants in the process, including the process owner, process manager, suppliers, customers and stakeholders. A RACI model can help map roles and responsibilities to process activities.

Activities
This section defines and describes the activities for the process, including the procedures and work instructions which underpin the process and describe a single task in detail.

Vocabulary
A vocabulary list clearly defines the terms being referenced in the Process Definition Document.

Please remember that defining and designing processes begins with an understanding of management’s vision. Staff buy in is critical to the success of process improvement. Just producing the process definition document is not enough to ensure success. But, that is a topic for another blog, right?

Comments

Lisa Schwartz said…

Hi Professor. You said in this blog, "Staff buy in is critical to the success of process improvement. Just producing the process definition document is not enough to ensure success. But, that is a topic for another blog, right?" I think it would make a great topic! Thanks in advance.

June 17, 2011 at 1:19 PM

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