Process Modelling 101

A beginner's guide to visualizing workflows.

Define your objective

Before you start, clearly define the workflow you want to model. Identify the objectives, key steps, and outcomes. For example, you might qant to model the process of booking an invoice.

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Gather information

Collect relevant information about the workflow. This might involve talking to stakeholders, observing the process in action, and reviewing existing documentation.

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Identify process steps and their sequence

Break down the workflow into individual steps or activities. Start from the beginning and work your way to the end. Identify which steps depend on previous ones and which can occur simultaneously. Use clear and concise descriptions for each step.

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Start modelling

Begin creating your process model by using your chosen system.

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Connect elements

Use Arrows to connect the elements and show the flow of the process. Arrows should indicate the sequence of steps, decisions, and loops.

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Include decision points

If your process involves decision-making, use gateway symbols to represent them. For instance, a red exclamation point can represent a decision where the process takes different pathes based on a condition

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Add details

Add to each step. This includes information like roles, time estimates and attachments

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Review and refine

Once your initial model is complete, review it for accuracy and clarity. Seek feedback from stakeholders to make necessary refinements.

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Validate and test

If possible, validate your process model by applying it to real data or scenarios. This can help identify any potential gaps or issues.

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Gather feedback

Process modelling is an interactive process. As you gather more insights and feedback, continue to refine and improve your model for better accuracy and usability.

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Implement changes

Based on the insights gained from the process model, implement necessary changes to the actual workflow to improve efficiency and achieve your objectives.