Explanation of Sequence and Interaction of Processes

M

MaryJames

Hi,
I am new to this forum and also new to the ISO world!!!
I am confused about this "sequence and interaction of processes". I scanned the forum and went through related threads but it made me all jumbled up. My organization is going for ISO in steps, it is a utility company but it is going for ISO 9001:2000 certification of its service providing departments like Medical, Lease, Good Housekeeping etc. I am confused how to document their interaction as these are not the core processes and also the customers of these departments are other departments. Does this Sequence and interaction means interaction of these departments or otherwise?
Note: processes of these departments donot have interaction!!!
The SOPs and process maps of these departments are coplete witrh Inputs, Outputs, Resource, Description etc.
Please help me. I know you guys would be sick of answering same type of questions but still...
Adios and Thanks in advance
 
T

Ted Schmitt

Re: Sequence and Interaction of Processes

Hi, I am new to this forum and also new to the ISO world!!!

I am confused about this "sequence and interaction of processes". I scanned the forum and went through related threads but it made me all jumbled up. My organization is going for ISO in steps, it is a utility company but it is going for ISO 9001:2000 certification of its service providing departments like Medical, Lease, Good Housekeeping etc. I am confused how to document their interaction as these are not the core processes and also the customers of these departments are other departments. Does this Sequence and interaction means interaction of these departments or otherwise?
Note: processes of these departments donot have interaction!!!
The SOPs and process maps of these departments are coplete witrh Inputs, Outputs, Resource, Description etc.
Please help me. I know you guys would be sick of answering same type of questions but still...
Adios and Thanks in advance

Welcome to the Cove and to the "ISO world" !

In reference to your question, the answer(s) is probably going to be in various parts and from various members of the cove until we fully understand your organization. What kind of utility company are you? What are the utility companies main processes? I´m not sure I understand the logic behind certifying your "other" departments (medical, lease, good housekeeping), but, if it´s the Big Bosses decision... to me, the "other" departments that you mention could be considered support processes so that your core processes "work well"... just out of curiosity, what are the core processes which are not going to be included in the initial scope of certification?
 

Helmut Jilling

Auditor / Consultant
Re: Explaination of Sequence and Interaction of Processes

Hi,
I am new to this forum and also new to the ISO world!!!
I am confused about this "sequence and interaction of processes". I scanned the forum and went through related threads but it made me all jumbled up. My organization is going for ISO in steps, it is a utility company but it is going for ISO 9001:2000 certification of its service providing departments like Medical, Lease, Good Housekeeping etc. I am confused how to document their interaction as these are not the core processes and also the customers of these departments are other departments. Does this Sequence and interaction means interaction of these departments or otherwise?
Note: processes of these departments donot have interaction!!!
The SOPs and process maps of these departments are coplete witrh Inputs, Outputs, Resource, Description etc.
Please help me. I know you guys would be sick of answering same type of questions but still...
Adios and Thanks in advance


If the sequences and interactions are not clear yet, I would not expect the procedures and flowcharts are complete yet. It would seem there is work left to be done.

The sequence (between processes) relates to processes which are sequential. Core processes generally are, as the work flows through the organization. Supporting processes often do not have a sequence to other processes. Often, their sequence is only internal.

The interactions are generally considered to be the inputs and outputs. The outputs from one process inputs (flows) into another. These need to be defined, along with the criteria you will judge effectiveness to, and how you will measure that.

(if you need more, you may send me a private email).
 
M

MaryJames

Re: Explaination of Sequence and Interaction of Processes

thanks guys for your input!!
Yehh the flowcharts have been done and are very detailed.It also shows interactions with other departments like procurement, but since the big bosses are only going for these Admin ones I an confused. Since these are supporting processes, there is no interaction between them, input and output from these departments are not related so what do I do? How do I show the interaction!
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Helmut Jilling

Auditor / Consultant
Re: Explaination of Sequence and Interaction of Processes

thanks guys for your input!!
Yehh the flowcharts have been done and are very detailed.It also shows interactions with other departments like procurement, but since the big bosses are only going for these Admin ones I an confused. Since these are supporting processes, there is no interaction between them, input and output from these departments are not related so what do I do? How do I show the interaction!

Generally, the inputs and outputs are considered the "interactions." A lot of people find the Turtle format is particularly conducive to showing that for support products. If those are defined, and the processes which they link to, I generally accept that (for support processes).
 
M

MaryJames

Re: Explaination of Sequence and Interaction of Processes

Hmmmm guys what I am thinking is of making a separate high level interaction of processes for each sections like Good HouseKeeping and stuff!! Would that be okay??? But to me it doesnt make send, when you can show the deatiled sequence and interaction thorugh SOPs and process description why do you need that? Guys I need help urgentlyyy!!! Pllllllllllzzzz help. Thanks in advance!
 

Helmut Jilling

Auditor / Consultant
Re: Explaination of Sequence and Interaction of Processes

Hmmmm guys what I am thinking is of making a separate high level interaction of processes for each sections like Good HouseKeeping and stuff!! Would that be okay??? But to me it doesnt make send, when you can show the deatiled sequence and interaction thorugh SOPs and process description why do you need that? Guys I need help urgentlyyy!!! Pllllllllllzzzz help. Thanks in advance!

The standards allow you to describe it anyway you choose - flowcharts, diagram, procedures, etc. It is up to you.
 
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