Process Modeling & Mapping Flashcards

Which level of process hierarchy focuses on individual tasks performed by a single person at a workstation?

Answer: Task/activity level

The task or activity level is the most granular layer in a process hierarchy, describing discrete actions carried out by an individual performer.

A horizontal swimlane diagram with multiple departments and handoffs is most useful for identifying:

Answer: Cross-functional handoff points and responsibility gaps

Swimlane diagrams reveal where work crosses departmental boundaries, making handoff delays and accountability gaps visible.

In process simulation, 'throughput' is best defined as:

Answer: The rate at which a process completes instances over a given period

Throughput measures how many process instances (cases) are completed per unit of time, indicating overall process capacity.

Which type of process map captures both the logical flow and the timing of events on a timeline axis?

Answer: Time-phased process map

A time-phased process map (also called a time-based process chart) adds a horizontal time axis so durations and waits are visually apparent.

A 'dark process' in process discovery refers to:

Answer: An undocumented or informal process not captured in official models

Dark processes are real activities that employees perform but that have never been formally documented, representing hidden operational risk.

In the context of process mapping, 'value-added' activities are those that:

Answer: Directly transform inputs into outputs the customer is willing to pay for

Value-added steps change the form, fit, or function of the product or service in a way the customer values and is willing to pay for.

Process mining differs from traditional process mapping because process mining:

Answer: Automatically discovers actual process flows from event log data in IT systems

Process mining uses event logs from information systems to reconstruct how processes actually execute, revealing deviations from the intended model.