Process control

Guidelines for process control ( monitoring ):

• It must be known what value is desired, what to measure, how to measure it, unit of measure, device / method to be used, frequency of measure / analysis, and priority of objective.

• How objectives are monitored is a function of who does it, how often it is to be done, and to whom information is distributed for analysis.

• Objectives are monitored through minute-to-minute, day-to-day, month-to-month, and year-to-year analysis by individuals, teams, departments, the management group, and executive staff.

In more complex situations(e.g.: Whole Business Process Management) a more extensive system for monitoring, measuring, analyzing, and reporting results versus objectives would be necessary, but the principles remain the same.

Process analysis :There are many reasons and methods for examining and documenting the steps in a process. Several examples are:

• Design a new process or a change to a process.

• To prepare for an audit / assessment of a process or system.

• As part of the building project plans for a new facility.

• To aid in planning a preventive action.

• As a diagnostic technique for locating possible problem areas.

• As a tool for identifying non-value-added steps.

• As a technique for comparing before and after changes to a process.

• To aid in developing a quality system’s documentation (often including both text and process maps)• As a technique for helping quality improvement teams to understand a process.

• As training aid for understanding the process for which training is being given.

• As a technique for strategic planners to understand the interrelationships of existing processes.

While there are a number of tools and techniques used in understanding and analyzing processes, the basic flowchart / process map is the predominant tool.