CBA 390 - Chapter 2 - Introduction to Processes

CBA 390 - JSU - Chapter 2 - Introduction to Processes

process

A set of activities that take a collection of inputs, perform some work or activities with those inputs, and then yield a set of outputs.

process flow diagram

A graphical way to describe the process. It uses boxes to depict resources, arrows to depict flows, and triangles to depict inventory location.

resource

A group of people and/or equipment that transforms inputs into outputs.

process scope

The set of activities and processes included in the process.

flow unit

The unit of analysis that we consider in a process analysis; for example, patients in a hospital, scooters in a kick-scooter plant, and calls in a call center.

process metric

A scale or measure of process performance and capability.

Inventory

The number of flow units within the process.

Flow rate

The rate at which flow units travel through a process.

Flow time

The time a flow unit spends in a process, from start to finish.

Little’s Law

The law that describes the relationship between three key process metrics: inventory, flow rate, and flow time.