Process Mapping - Process Flow and Interactions of Processes - ISO 9001

[michelle8075]

Here I go again with another question.....
I am working on the process flow for ISO-9001:2000 and I just want to make sure I am doing this correctly. Something tells me that I am not....

My process map is not very detailed at all. We determined that all our "detailed" processes are actually our procedures. So why have them in two places (I can probably call out each procedure next to each process in the map, but I have not done that yet.

Our rough draft process map shows the customer giving us the order, us processing the order (not any detail there, literly it says "Receive Requirements from Customer via quote request, Sales w/ Mgmt perform contract review"). Then the map goes into basic Project Management, then Mech / Controls Design, etc.

Can a process map be this simple? We also have an old Process map the quality personnel before me did that is 36 pages long in VISIO. I think that is too detailed.

Looking on the cove I have seen every extreme. I guess, I am asking if just showing the "bare bones" process an order goes through our company, is that enough?

Everyone here has already provided me with valueable input on some other items I have going on. I appreciate it all! One day I am hoping to get to that Guru status too..... for now, I just need some solid help.

[cncmarine]

are you doing a process map for Lean or trying to fulfill requirements for Interrelation of Processes

[howste]

The short answer is "It depends." It depends on the purpose of the process map, and who are the users. If the map meets the needs of the users, then it works.

[cncmarine]

If its for the interelation of processes then you are doing it correct

[Marc]

Attach an example and some folks here will take a look at it. Print it out as a pdf or gif file or something. Some folks may have Visio - I don't and can't remember if SmartDraw will open Visio files.

[michelle8075]

In Reply to Parent Post by Marc

Attach an example and some folks here will take a look at it. Print it out as a pdf or gif file or something. Some folks may have Visio - I don't and can't remember if SmartDraw will open Visio files.

I pulled the VISIO Document into word. (Let me know if anyone is having a hard time opening this one.) I hope that this works! Please note that this is a VERY ROUGH Draft. I know that it does not follow much of any kind of set-up. It was us just getting our ideas out.

Thanks again for everyone's help!

[BadgerMan]

I don’t think you can have too many flow charts, but they can be too big and/or too detailed. Having several different flow charts with different levels of detail is the method we chose. Our QM has a high-level flow chart, like you’ve described, that references our procedures. Then, many of our procedures contain more detailed flow charts.

Your approach sounds like a good one and the idea of listing the procedure within the process symbol would be very helpful for someone trying to learn about your system. If you have an electronic system, try hyper-linking from the flow chart symbols to the related procedures or other flow charts.

[QCALPINE]

Working on getting up to speed on ISO9000. Does it require that we have process flow charts? Or is this a best management practice. Our Quality manual states we have supporting documentation for each section that includes maps. I have found a few, notg sure I want to generate all the remaining ones (training map, sales order map, etc..) if it is not a requirement. The actual processes we do for our customers are included on a flowchart. I have attached a blank copy.