KaizumiKaizumi™

Process Map

Swimlane map · Work time · Wait time · Handoffs

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What a process map shows

A process map lists every step of one process in order: who does it, how long the work takes, and how long it waits before the next step. Each department gets its own row, called a swimlane. Teams draw one after a SIPOC to find where the work waits.

Example
Process Name
Starts when
Ends when
Mapped by
Enter times in
Steps
9
Departments
6
Handoffs
6
Work time
2h10min
Wait time
3h55min
Lead time
6h5min
Work share
36%

Map

Tap a step to edit it. Press and hold to drag it.

1Physician writes discharge order10 min
2Pharmacy prepares discharge meds15 min
3Nurse completes discharge education20 min
4Case manager arranges transport and home care20 min
Ride home confirmed?
6Final vitals and IV removal10 min
7Patient leaves the unit10 min
8Bed cleaned35 min
9Bed released in the bed system5 min

Where the time goes

Wait is 64% of the lead time. The longest wait is 55 min, between “Ride home confirmed?” and “Final vitals and IV removal”: family drives in after work.

30 min45 min55 min45 min30 min
WorkWaitLongest wait

Steps

The same steps as a list. Edit here or on the map.

1
2
3
4
5
If no, back to
6
7
8
9

Everything is editable — click any field.

What a process map shows

A process map lists every step of one process: who does it, how long the work takes and how long it waits before the next step. Each department gets its own lane. Arrows that cross lanes are handoffs, and the time between steps is the wait. In most processes the waits add up to far more than the work.

When to draw one

Draw a process map after a SIPOC has set the start and the end of the process. The SIPOC tells the team what they are fixing. The process map shows where the time goes inside it.

How to map a process

  1. Pick one start event and one end event.
  2. Follow one real item, such as a patient, an order or an invoice, from start to end.
  3. Write down each step as it happens and the department that does it.
  4. Time the work for each step and the wait before the next one. Note why it waits.
  5. Mark each decision and where a “No” sends the work back to.
  6. Start with the longest wait and the handoff just before it.

Frequently asked questions

What is a process map?
A process map is a drawing of one process, step by step, in the order the work happens. A swimlane process map gives each department its own row, so you can see who does each step and every place the work passes from one group to another.
What is the difference between a process map and a SIPOC?
A SIPOC shows five to seven high-level steps plus the suppliers, inputs, outputs and customers around them. Teams build it first to agree on scope. A process map shows every step, decision, wait and rework loop inside that scope. Teams build it next to find out why the process is slow.
What is the difference between a process map and a value stream map?
A value stream map follows a product family across a whole plant or business, with inventory, information flow and a timeline. A process map zooms into one process and lists every step and handoff. Use a process map when the delay sits inside one process, such as a discharge or an approval.
What is work share?
Work share is the work time divided by the lead time. If a discharge takes six hours from order to bed release and people work on it for two of those hours, the work share is 33 percent. The rest of the time the patient or the paperwork is waiting.
How do I count handoffs?
The tool counts a handoff every time the work moves from one department to another. Each handoff is a place where work can wait in a queue, get lost or need to be explained again.
Is this process map maker free?
Yes. It runs in your browser with no sign-up. Your map stays on your device. You can download a printable copy of the map and the step list.

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