Modeling

 

The general approach when modeling flows is to ask the questions Why, What, Who, and How.

WHY does the operation and its processes exist - probably because someone has a requirement or need. So the first thing we must do is to identify the requirements and needs of interested parties. This is done in Interested Party- and Requirement models. Requirements from an interested party are often addressed at the results of the processes and not at how to reach that point.

HOW should we do to meet requirements and needs. Here we need to modell process flows that clarifies the order of activities, the partial results and HOW each individual activity is performed. What and How is answered using the Process model. When modeling processes we also identify the competences needed to perform each activity. WHO is then structured in an Organisation model.

Example

The following example shows how a process can be identified from beginning to end.

Why

Through interested party and requirement models we have found a need for investment and a requirement.

 

When mapping the process we should focus on WHAT.What is the input, what do we do then, what is created etc.

The other way around, you can ask what is the end result of the process, what do we do to achieve it etc.

What

When the what question is answered and the complete flow from the initial need to the result of the process has been modeled,we look at the competences needed to perform the activities.

Who

Who is often described as roles but sometimes as positions. Read more about positions and roles in the page about Organization models.

How

 

How is often an instruction for the employee performing the activity. The instruction could be a short text on the object or a link to a document. To ensure the quality of the result the information can also be entered in forms (Word templates or errand handling systems).

One alternative is to start with How before proceeding to Who. The downside is that the people involved in the Who often have knowledge of the How, making them useful at this stage.

 

The complete model

When we have modeled the process we have answered the questions why, what, who and how. We have a clear and visible result in the form of a model. If we have done in a groups of involved interested parties we have gained extra value in common understanding. Read more about this form of work here