The Basics of Process Mapping by Robert Damelio


	by Robert Damelio

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"A great hands-on resource, training supplement, and reference..."

Why I wrote this book:

At the time, (1996) I'd already been working well over a decade to help improve the results that organizations achieve from the work that their people do. As part of that work, I'd personally created custom learning materials on a variety of quality improvement tools-especially "how-to" (procedural) instruction and job aids.

Also, during that time, I found the Three Levels of Performance framework that I learned from Geary Rummler to be particularly useful and effective. I still do.

The Three Levels Framework helps you "view" work at the Organization, Process, and Performer levels. At the Organization and Process levels, Geary introduced two key tools (relationship maps and cross-functional process maps, respectively) to help diagnose and improve work.

Many of my clients asked for "something on process maps." And so this book was born. The Basics of Process Mapping contains "how-to" information and examples for 3 types of maps, one for each of the Three Levels of Performance.

Level of Performance (Work)	Map Type (Click for Example)	View of Work
Organization	Relationship Map	Structural components; the supplier customer relationships that exist between parts of an organization
Process	Cross-functional process map aka. Swimlane Diagram	Workflow; the path of work as it flows across several functions
Job	Flowchart	Activity; the value added or non-value added effort performed by individuals

As I prepared to write this book, I noticed that most of the quality or process improvement tools and examples were most often illustrated in manufacturing settings, but the growth in jobs (work) was occurring in non-manufacturing settings.

For this reason, I used all non-manufacturing examples and language throughout the book to illustrate how these tools apply. Over the years this trend has accelerated such that service and knowledge work are now the predominant forms of work in the economies of the "developed" nations worldwide.

Timing is everything.

- Robert Damelio

"... leaves the reader with three useful tools... It is neither too long nor too short, it is just right." Quality Digest Magazine

"...provides insights on some of the problems inherent in creating 'good' process maps. A must read for project managers and business analysts." Mindavation Newsletter

Testimonials

Quality Digest Magazine:
In this era of mammoth-sized business books, [the] slim and concise...volume covers its subject quickly and completely, leaving the reader with a working knowledge and a ready reference. The author offers three mapping tools: cross-functional process maps, relationship maps and flowcharts. Short chapters on the process of process mapping and specific applications for each tool round out the book. The Basics of Process Mapping leaves the reader with three useful tools and few questions. It is neither too long nor too short, it is just right.

Great Book on Process Mapping for the Price - Derrik Mantel
If you are new to process mapping, this book is great. If you are a seasoned process mapper or business analyst this book is a nice, briefcase-friendly reference. Internal consultants, business analysts, and any one wanting to do things better can benefit from this book - Use it to educate your clients. This book can be an enabler for individuals desiring to make changes in their organizations. The basic practices in this book can help any business by allowing a few basic tools and techniques to be accessible to a large number of people. (see full review on Amazon.com)

Mindavation Newsletter - Book Recommendation of the Month, Nov. 2004:
This is a small book but it's packed with practical information on how to create great process maps. It's easy to read, has lots of graphical examples, and provides insights on some of the problems inherent in creating "good" process maps. A must read for project managers and business analysts.

SaferPak.com
This book is short and can be read in under an hour. As the title says it's "The Basics of Process Mapping". Nevertheless it provides a handy introduction into the concept of process mapping, with easy to understand and practical examples. Best of all it's cheap enough to buy the whole team a copy.

Simple, efficient, effective, right on target! - Marcel Chiranov
This book is clear, extremely well focused, and effective. I got the information I needed in less than two hours of pleasant lecture. The book starts with a crisp and nice presentation of Relationship Map, Cross-functional Process Map and Flowchart. After that Flowcharting, Process Mapping, Relationship Maps, Cross-Functional Process Maps are explained and followed by an easy to understand example. The book ends with Analyzing a Process chapter that I found good to start analyzing and improving my own processes. The book is useful for managers, consultants and students as a start in process mapping and or process improvement projects. I'll keep it as useful reference for my work. Highly appreciate your work Robert, thank you! (see full review on Amazon.com)