How Do I Determine Interaction of Processes in My Company?

A

abnoyan

process interaction

Hi guys,

I defined our company's processes. Now, I need determine the interactions of that processes. I need a method of that work. How can I show the interactions any idea or example will be greatful.

Bye,
 
M

M Greenaway

Try IDEF0 style process mapping.

A diagramatic technique of defining processes that show what the Inputs, Outputs, Controls and Mechanisms actually are, and the processes they feed or are fed by.
 

Mike S.

Happy to be Alive
Trusted Information Resource
Abnoyan,

There are several examples of process maps showing how some Cove folks have shown the processes and their sequence and interaction. Do a search on "process maps" and you should find several posted this year with commentary by other Cove members. Let us know if this does not help.
 
J

JodiB

Re: Re: process interaction

Tom Harris said:

With total respect, abnoyan, I suspect there is a high probabability that you did no such thing.

Either you mean "our senior managers thrashed out the details of our company's processes" or you mean "I personally approximated a definition of our company's processes good enough to decorate the quality manual [what our semi-Mick friend MG calls a bland diagram] but with no value beyond that".

If I got that wrong in your particular case, I apologise in advance. You are the exception that proves the rule.


With no respect at all Tom, I think that your post was nothing but rude, and offerred no help whatsoever. I would hazard that everyone here knew exactly what Abnoyan was saying and asking - even without your sarcastic posting.

Abnoyan, Mike is right about there being lots of discussions and examples posted regarding interactions. Briefly, you can show interactions with arrows from the output of one process into the input of another; text description of your company's work with parenthetical references to numbered areas on your process maps; layered mapping (think of those old human body overlays in the encyclopedia); on each process map list the inputs and outputs and the other processes that interact with this one; and so many other things that can be done.

Does this give you any ideas?
 
A

Al Dyer

Abnoyan,

Companies have many processes that interact with each other.

Maybe these:

How does the process for hiring personnel interact with the training process?

There are 3 manufacturing processes, how does the process of #1 relate to process #2? Recieving, loading, same SPC, shared gages, related documents, Commonality of specs????

Just some food for thought.

Al...
 
J

johnnybegood

In mapping out the process to show the sequence and interaction.....the question is to what extend or detail we need to show?
 

gpainter

Quite Involved in Discussions
Try doing it on a wheel and remember that it is the processes of the QMS not necessarily manufacturing processes, unless you make it that way.
 

Mike S.

Happy to be Alive
Trusted Information Resource
johnnybegood said:

In mapping out the process to show the sequence and interaction.....the question is to what extend or detail we need to show?
Yep, a critical question IMO. I think that is up to you, your Management, and the registrar (if applicable). I believe that even the most detailed process map ever posted on the Cove does not truly capture ALL of the sequences and interactions in that company -- nor should it IMO because that would be a huge if not impossible task with little if any benefit.

Many people want an idea of how far "most people" or the "typical" process map goes or what "most registrars" require, then they can decide if they want to go further or not based on the perceived benefits. They want to see different ways of doing it as well. I think those are very valid questions, and there are a few QM's and PM's posted here, some "registrar approved", to give some ideas. Hopefully, over time, more will be posted showing different ways to skin the cat (or catfish).
 
G

Greg B

QMS Approach or Process Approach

gpainter said:

Try doing it on a wheel and remember that it is the processes of the QMS not necessarily manufacturing processes, unless you make it that way.


IMHO I feel that the Process Approach is ultimately about the manufacturing processes. I was inducting a class of students yesterday and they said "What do we need a QA system for?" I said that the bottom line is, we have a certified system to ASSURE our customers that what they order is delivered the same everytime (or words to that effect). The customer doesn't really care about how we mapped out the QMS system. Documenting process maps is not going to make a better product. With the old QMS' you could be certified but not have a gauranteed product. The Auditors (or do you in the USA call them regsitrars) did not actually audit our product they audited our systems. The new system is trying to get us to have a better product and relate the quality to our customers not so much our paperwork.

My process maps start with material/product etc and end with a customer (it may be another process). I use process maps in lieu of written documents. I mainly use your basic flow chart symbols to map them out bacause a flow chart is a Process Map.

P.S If my thrid party auditor (registrar?) does not like the way we do something then they better have a pretty good reason, other than their personal interpretation of a clause, as to why they want me to change or add to it. I believe that they should be asked to prove their position before telling us what to do. I am not confrontational but it annoys me that so many of them try to laud it over us mere mortals.

Sorry but I tend to waffle on a bit. I'll try and post some maps up here soon.

Greg B
 
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