Definition Sub?Process in the Service Industry - Definition

D

dslman

Dear all,

May I know the definition of sub – process with some example from the service industry?
How can we decide whether the process is main or sub?

Regards,
 

John Broomfield

Leader
Super Moderator
Re: Sub?process question

dslman,

An organization's core process converts customer needs into cash in the bank and comprises processes not sub-processes.

Processes comprise activities. So, a "sub-process" would be an activity or a series of activities within a process.

Within the process: auditing, for example, we see setting objectives for the audit programme, planning an audit to fulfill its objectve, gathering and evaluating evidence and reporting the results.

You may argue for separating the four sub-processes from within the process of auditing but I see no benefit in doing this. The process owner should own the entire process so that person can take responsibility for its overall effectiveness. Within the process team, individuals may, however, have responsibility for the success of an activity or series of activities.

You are working on a sub-process if it is part of a larger process and is essential to its success. It is better to focus on analyzing, developing, using and improving the process as a whole.

When analyzing a system of interacting processes, you may determine sub-processes masquerading as processes. You then examine each of the so-called processes to see if you've separated a sub-process from its process. If in doubt, consult the owner of the longer series of activities, aka the process.

In a system context, this is complicated by processes that support (direct or sustain) the core process such as training and controlling documented information. So pllease describe here what you see as a process and its sub-process so we can explore this further.

John
 
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