Definition Inputs vs. Resources in the context of a Process - Differences

S

samsung

#1
A process is defined as

"An activity or set of activities using resources, and managed in order to enable the transformation of inputs into outputs, can be considered as a process."

It means any process essentially consumes resources in order to transform inputs into outputs.

What's the difference between 'inputs' and 'resources'? Are 'resources' not 'inputs'?

Appreciate your comments preferably with a few examples.

Thanks
 
Elsmar Forum Sponsor
S

samsung

#3
Re: Waht's the difference 'inputs' and 'resources' in the context of a process?

Resources usually refer to people and materials.

Did you check this document - Guidance on the concept and use of the process approach for management systems ?

Examples of organizational resources also include:
- Human resources,
- Infrastructure,
- Work environment,
- Information,
- Natural resources,
- Materials,
- Financial resources
Right. Let's take the example of water as a natural resource. It's an input for a boiler meant for power generation. So here, both (input as well as resources) are same. How to differentiate - when water is a resource and when it's an input?
 

somashekar

Staff member
Super Moderator
#4
Re: Waht's the difference 'inputs' and 'resources' in the context of a process?

Right. Let's take the example of water as a natural resource. It's an input for a boiler meant for power generation. So here, both (input as well as resources) are same. How to differentiate - when water is a resource and when it's an input?
No. In this case water is a resource that is consumed and the boiler is a resource that is used.
If you use a plant that makes Ice blocks and put water in and get Ice block out, then here water is an input, and the output is Ice block (input converted to output)
 
S

samsung

#5
Re: Waht's the difference 'inputs' and 'resources' in the context of a process?

No. In this case water is a resource that is consumed and the boiler is a resource that is used.
If you use a plant that makes Ice blocks and put water in and get Ice block out, then here water is an input, and the output is Ice block (input converted to output)
What if water automatically gets converted into ice, such as in winter, what's the resource that transformed water into ice?
 

Ajit Basrur

Staff member
Admin
#6
Re: What is the difference 'inputs' and 'resources' in the context of a process?

Its not that once a particular "input", "output" or "resource" is defined for "a particular process", these terms remain freezed. These terms are valid for the particular process that is described.

Assume a Tabletting process, where the tablet mix is compressed on a machine to produce tablets. The inputs for this process is the tablet mix and the outputs are compressed talets. The resources are compression machine, operators and compressed air.

But this compressed air will have its individual "process" (conversion of inputs to outputs) to produce compressed air as a product.

Thus in the system pespective, its a combination of inter-related processes.
 

somashekar

Staff member
Super Moderator
#7
Re: Waht's the difference 'inputs' and 'resources' in the context of a process?

What if water automatically gets converted into ice, such as in winter, what's the resource that transformed water into ice?
It is all looked with the intended purpose to be achieved. It is between human intervention and natural process. I look at it from the point of 4 stuff.
Direct material (input) (my example in post # 4)
Direct consumables (input)
Indirect material (resource)
Indirect consumables (resource) (your example in post # 3)
 

Peter Fraser

Trusted Information Resource
#8
Re: What is the difference between 'inputs' and 'resources' in the context of a proce

A process is defined as
"An activity or set of activities using resources, and managed in order to enable the transformation of inputs into outputs, can be considered as a process."
It means any process essentially consumes resources in order to transform inputs into outputs.
What's the difference between 'inputs' and 'resources'? Are 'resources' not 'inputs'?
Appreciate your comments preferably with a few examples.
Thanks
I wish that more people would question this! The definition you quote is from ISO9001. Yet a number of other definitions of a “process” found on the Internet suggest that the definition is flawed:
- “A series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result”
- “A series of inter-related activities that result in an outcome”
- “A generic method of doing something, involving steps or operations which are usually ordered and/or interdependent”
- “A collection of interrelated tasks, which solve a particular issue”
- “A series of events that produce change or development”.

None mentions a "transformation", and all either mention or at least imply i) a trigger event and ii) an objective. And "resources" aren't mentioned either - perhaps they are not essential as part of the definition, but rather a (helpful) note of explanation.

If you apply the ISO9001 definition, then every input must be changed into another form by the process, and so would not be available the next time the process operates.

And processes happen whether they are "managed" or not...

[Resources are "what you need to be available for the process to work" - ie People, Information, Equipment, Power, Premises, Equipment, Finance, Knowledge, Skills, Competencies. The may be "put in" or "taken in" to the process, but you need them the next time you do the same thing]

Take an example of what is not an input in these terms: the worst possible outcome of “Storing goods in a warehouse" would be for the goods to be “transformed” – you want them to come out looking and working exactly the way they did when they went in.

It is the definition that causes the problems...
 
D

Duke Okes

#9
Inputs are those things which flow through and out of the process as part of the output. Resources stay there to transform more inputs into processes. Resources typically include people, equipment, information, etc.

However, in service industries people might also be inputs (e.g., hospital patients, restaurant customers).

So as someone said, it depends on the particular process being analyzed what is an input vs. resource. And yes, resources are an out of (provided by) other processes. For example, equipment is provided by the process of acquisition and installation.

Inputs are often there for a single cycle of transformation (or a transaction), while resources are there for multiple cycles.
 
S

samsung

#10
Re: What is the difference 'inputs' and 'resources' in the context of a process?

Its not that once a particular "input", "output" or "resource" is defined for "a particular process", these terms remain freezed. These terms are valid for the particular process that is described.

Assume a Tabletting process, where the tablet mix is compressed on a machine to produce tablets. The inputs for this process is the tablet mix and the outputs are compressed talets. The resources are compression machine, operators and compressed air.

But this compressed air will have its individual "process" (conversion of inputs to outputs) to produce compressed air as a product.

Thus in the system pespective, its a combination of inter-related processes.
:confused: Even in the same process, it's getting difficult for me to differentiate the two. I take the example of limestone crushing process. Limestone is a natural resource and once it's fed to crusher as input (uncrushed LS), the output is still a natural resource (crushed LS) but unlike water in a power boiler, here limestone is definitely an input.

As Freaser said is one of the posts, it's the definition of process (9001) that causes confusion.

Why I'm interested to know is because (i) most Turtles have these things separately defined and (ii) when one needs to improve the process efficiency (in terms of use of resources), one must have a clear picture of an input and a resource.
Thanks.
 
Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
A Difference between requirement for 4.4.1a (inputs) and 4.4.1d (resources needed)? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 3
D Inputs, outputs, targets, resources, and activities of Control of Documents process Document Control Systems, Procedures, Forms and Templates 1
D Are media (electricity, water etc.) resources or inputs to a manufacturing process? IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 12
K Need procedure for D&D inputs? ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 4
D Design controls - Inputs, outputs, V&V, DHF, DMR ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 10
G ISO 17025-2017 Management Review reporting items - Inputs ISO 17025 related Discussions 1
J Design file for pre-existing products - Inputs and Outputs ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 5
K Process Mapping - Inputs/Outputs/Detail Activities/Control points/Measurement? Process Maps, Process Mapping and Turtle Diagrams 4
C Design Control - Ways of capturing inputs from manufacturing Other Medical Device Related Standards 5
M Inputs on definition of very similar processes for multi site audit sample - IAF MD1 2018 ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 3
V Sequence of performing risk assessment: User_FMEA (User Errors) vs Design Inputs FMEA and Control Plans 1
R ISO 9001:2015 9.3 - Required inputs to the management review - Audit Nonconformance Manufacturing and Related Processes 14
D Are detailed engineering requirements Design Inputs or Design Outputs 21 CFR Part 820 - US FDA Quality System Regulations (QSR) 14
K IATF16949 inputs/outputs & KPIs Internal Auditing 3
Ajit Basrur Are inputs to the nonconformance process required to be identified? Nonconformance and Corrective Action 21
M IATF 16949 - Cl. 8.3.3 - Product design inputs, manufacturing process design inputs IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 4
I Trying to explain some of the Management Review Inputs (AS9100D) Management Review Meetings and related Processes 10
B IATF 16949 Clause 9.3.2.1 - Management Review Inputs IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 1
B IATF 16949 Cl. 9.3.2.1 - Management Review Inputs - Process Effectiveness and Efficie IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 14
A ISO 9001:2015 Clause 9.3.2 - Management Review Inputs must be Documented? Management Review Meetings and related Processes 15
dubrizo IATF 16949 Clause 8.7.1.6 - Customer Notification - Your Inputs Requested IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 4
W MR Inputs (9.3.2) - "Monitoring and Measurement Results" vs. "Process Performance" Management Review Meetings and related Processes 8
A SIPOC (Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers) examples wanted Quality Manager and Management Related Issues 1
L Identification of Inputs vs. Outputs in Design and Development (Section 7.3) ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 4
M Design Inputs - Final Medical Device Specifications 21 CFR Part 820 - US FDA Quality System Regulations (QSR) 5
J Design Inputs and Verification Activities CE Marking (Conformité Européene) / CB Scheme 5
C Required Management Review Inputs List Management Review Meetings and related Processes 10
Crusader What are the CB's inputs and deliverables at Stage 1? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 17
S Cost Targets as Design Inputs in your DHF (Design History File) US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 7
K Interpreting and Applying 7.3.2 Design and Development Inputs ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 4
M Sampling Inspection at QA - Inputs on the following sampling plan Statistical Analysis Tools, Techniques and SPC 3
J Names of Inputs and Outputs in Octopus Diagrams IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 3
R Process to use Special Characteristics as FMEA Inputs IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 3
S AS9110B ? Product Safety Inputs to Management Review AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 2
K Are Nonconformance inputs to the product also NC product? Nonconformance and Corrective Action 11
Q Management Review Inputs - Production Site under a Corporate Certification Scheme Management Review Meetings and related Processes 9
Q How to read and interpret an SIPOC (Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers) ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 5
R Risk Assessment Matrix Question - Inputs from the DFMEA, etc. FMEA and Control Plans 9
R Software System Inputs and Outputs - IEC 62304 5.2.2 - Software Requirements Content IEC 62304 - Medical Device Software Life Cycle Processes 6
Q Design Inputs Document Content Design and Development of Products and Processes 20
F Failure Modes for Public Transport Vehicle Door Assembly - Your inputs please! FMEA and Control Plans 27
C ISO 17025 Testing Laboratory Management Review Inputs ISO 17025 related Discussions 2
E SIPOC (Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers) Feedback & Example to share Process Audits and Layered Process Audits 12
Chennaiite DFMEA (Design FMEA) at Vehicle Level - Some inputs needed. FMEA and Control Plans 4
M SIPOC (Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers) Process Mapping Tool example Process Maps, Process Mapping and Turtle Diagrams 11
Z SIPOC (Suppliers Inputs Process Outputs Customers) Chart Training Material ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 2
M Management Review Inputs (Process Performance) Management Review Meetings and related Processes 16
O Management Review Inputs and Outputs - AS9100 Registration Audit Requirements Management Review Meetings and related Processes 16
S Design Trace Matrix Ensuring that Design Outputs meet Design Inputs wanted 21 CFR Part 820 - US FDA Quality System Regulations (QSR) 4
B Quality Planning process map - Struggling to define all the inputs and outputs Process Maps, Process Mapping and Turtle Diagrams 17

Similar threads

Top Bottom