Processes are vital to the good performance of any company. Therefore, they need to be constantly evaluated and optimized, since only then can the best performance be achieved, according to the objectives and expectations of the business.

And one of the ideal tools for this task is the process mapping in industry. With it, it is possible to identify how the stages of a production, for example, are working in practice and what are the opportunities for improvement.

That said, if you don’t know what the process mapping technique is, or even how to do it, keep reading the special content we prepared on the topic. Good reading!

What is process mapping in industry?

The process mapping is a resource that seeks to ensure the full functioning of activities in certain areas of an industry. With this, it is possible to identify errors and improvement points to optimize resources.

In practice, this means that each employee will know their role within the production chain in an industry, in addition to the purpose of their work and the importance of it.

For management, the mapping provides a macro view of the production processes, where it is possible to see each stage of work in order to identify points for improvement and optimization of routines.

As a result, we have a positive impact on the company’s finances, as waste is eliminated from the work routine — or drastically reduced — and, as a result, the performance of each business area is considerably optimized.

How important is process mapping for the industry?

In addition to the points detailed above, process mapping aims to ensure that the work routine works optimally, without waste or risks for the company and employees.

Thus, it is possible to create a very detailed flowchart of each industrial process, where the objective is to identify points of optimization or eventual failures that compromise the business results.

In addition, process mapping also enables a continuous improvement routine to be established. In this way, processes are validated on a recurring basis and, of course, can evolve consistently.

In the same way that it eliminates failures and acts on points of improvement, the process mapping in industry also provides a great evolution in productivity. Thus, the company can improve its results and become more competitive in its segment.

Steps for mapping processes in the industry

Although there are several process mapping techniques, we have basic steps that are used in any approach performed. Therefore, we have separated the 9 main points of a successful mapping below:

1. Definition of the objective

The first step to successfully map an industrial process is to have its objective well defined and clear. Even if it seems obvious, many professionals forget about this step and start to validate the steps as a whole.

So, set the objective well to avoid wasting time and likewise optimize business resources.

2. Selection of the process to be mapped

Now that the objective has been defined, it is possible to start the mapping process and, for this, it is important to select the process — or processes — that will be mapped. In this sense, it is recommended to start with the processes that most impact the results and, thus, directly affect the company’s revenue.

Once the most critical processes have been resolved, the team can move on to mapping other important processes.

3. Definition of work depth

This step involves a lot of feeling and knowledge of the area in which the process is located. As the process mapping takes place, it is important to define how deep you want to go, which depends a lot on the importance of the process and the capacity of the team.

Not all processes need a lot of depth, so prioritize what needs to be analyzed more according to its impact on the organization.

4. Choice of approach used

The approach method is also a relevant point in the mapping of industrial processes. Here, we have 3 options to apply, where there is not the best option, but the one that is in line with the company’s reality:

• Bottom up: the process mapping starts from the micro tasks to the macro scope;

• Top down: process mapping starts from the macro scope for micro tasks;

• Middle-up-down: it is an intermediate process, where the mapping starts with people who have links with managers and specialists, as is the case of area supervisors;

5. Definition of the interview schedule

At this stage, the interviewed employees are defined, always with a strategic view of the people who can contribute most to the mapping process as a whole. Therefore, it is important to choose professionals with the most experience in the sector.

6. Definition of the modeling method

BPMN, ARIS, VAC or EPC are modeling methods with their own and important characteristics in the mapping process. Although we won’t delve into each method, it’s important to know that it’s important to choose a technique when moving forward with your mapping task.

7. Choice of review processes

As industrial process mapping draws to a close, it is important to have a step to review all the work done. This moment is critical to achieving exceptional results, so devote a lot of energy to reviewing the mapping performed and ensuring that the work has achieved its objective.

8. Identify and prioritize points for improvement

With the mapping complete, it is essential to identify and prioritize the steps that will be optimized or fixed as a priority. Here, the tip is to focus on bottlenecks that directly affect the company’s results, and then move on to less urgent points.

9. Apply and monitor changes

Lastly, you need to put the optimizations “in production” and similarly monitor changes to make sure the plan worked. Once everything is in order, it is possible to move on to other points of improvement, which will allow all the mapped processes to be working at very high quality.

Advantages of having tailor-made software to handle the processes

The process mapping in industry is an excellent tool to improve productivity and reduce the waste of company resources on a day-to-day basis. And when we talk about the industry, there are important tools to assist in the process.

This is the case with bespoke software, which can help immensely in dealing with production processes. With them it is possible to use systems that accompany general indicators, sensors, machine alarms and other critical points of a production line.

In addition to automating this follow-up routine, the bespoke software is designed to connect and exchange data with other existing systems, making the industrial management process simpler and more efficient.

Did you like the content? So, take the opportunity to read this article: How much does a bespoke software cost: learn to calculate and project values