A process is any sequence of events that transforms an input into an output.
In business a process is any sequence of events or actions that transforms inputs into outputs. For example, a car business takes in metal and labor and transforms it into cars through a process of car manufacture. Processes are designed so as to make most efficient use of resources, including time, labor and capital.
Design Brief
The first stage in process design is the design brief. The design brief is usually achieved through extensive consultation among the clients who will be using the process, and whoever will be implementing the process. The design brief includes information about the requirements, specifications, costs, schedule and objectives of the process.
Specification
Included within the design brief is the specification. The specification is a detailed description of the properties that the process needs to possess. The specification will establish in detail the criteria by which the success or failure of the design of the process will be judged.
Concept
The concept is a high-level description of how the process will function. The concept stage of process design involves a great deal of abstraction. Complex subsystems of the process are presented as "black boxes" with certain inputs and certain outputs. The goal of the concept stage of process design is simply to ensure that the design as specified is feasible, and to identify any major problems with implementing the specified process design.
Details
After the concept has been established, the subsystems can be removed from their black boxes and the work of designing the process at a detailed level can begin. This part of designing processes generally takes the longest, as consideration has to be made of all the detailed elements of the process subsystems.
Testing
As the process is implemented, each subsystem has to be tested to ensure it works properly. Once all the subsystems of the process have been implemented, testing has to happen to ensure that everything works as required by the specification. If things do not work as required by the specification, then they have to be altered so they do.
Ongoing Monitoring
Even once the process is set up and operational, there is still scope for ongoing monitoring and improvement of the system. Systems like Kaizen offer a means to extend the process design process over the entire lifetime of the system, ensuring that the process is constantly being developed and inefficiencies are removed.