Basic process mapping using BPMN

Sunday, April 9, 2023 1Process mapping & Lean

Process mapping using BPMN

Business Improvement TeamJanuary 2010

How we build up a process map• Brown paper and

Post-its!• On Post-it notes,

write down each stage of the process

• On the brown paper mark out “swim lanes”

• Stick them on the map and draw lines between

• Refine until complete Process mapping 2

Creating the “as is” map• Once the brown paper map is complete, a BPMN

process map is created.• BPMN symbols include:

Process mapping and Lean 3

Sunday, April 9, 2023 Event Name and VenueEm

ploy

eeP

ayro

llM

ana

ger

HR

Process maps – an example

4

• Start of process – this shows it begins with something done by the manager

• Each symbol is placed in the appropriate swim lane


ploy

eeP

ayro

llM

ana

ger

HR

Notify HR of change of contract /

hours


5

• Process flow – arrow shows direction

• Process task (something happens)


ploy

eeP

ayro

llM

ana

ger

HR


hours

Complete Extension or Change of

contract form

Post approval form (PAF)


6

• Process artefact = something created like a document

• Association – shows links between tasks and artefacts

• This new task happens after the previous one – the flow crosses over “swim lanes” to show a new person is involved with the process (= hand off)

Sunday, April 9, 2023Em

ploy

eeP

ayro

llM

ana

ger

HR


hours


contract form

Contract extension

PAF received


Payroll form

New career line – insert contract details

Send form to payroll

Print payroll form

Update EMPOWER

3 copies: 1 to payroll, one to

personal file and one for audit file


7

• Annotation – gives additional information about part of the process

• Gateway – this is when a process splits – here both paths are followed (A + B = parallel), but sometimes it’s a decision (A or B = exclusive). More complex gateways are also possible (e.g. A and B but not C = inclusive)

Em

ploy

eeP

ayro

llM

ana

ger

HR


hours


contract form

Contract extension

PAF received


Payroll form

Update payroll system


Sign & return contract

Issue new contract

Update establishment spreadsheet note section


Print payroll form

Update EMPOWER



Contract

2 copies: one to personal file and

one for employee


• End of process (this can happen more than once in a process)


Sunday, April 9, 2023 Event Name and Venue 9Em

plo

yee

Pay

roll

Man

ager

HR


hours

Complete Extension or

Change of contract form

Contract extension

PAF received


Payroll form

Update payroll system


Sign & return

contract

Issue new contract

Update establishment spreadsheet note section


Print payroll form

Update EMPOWER



Contract

2 copies: one to personal file and one

for employee

Want to know more?• This was a simple and brief overview – there are

lots of good Web resources available, e.g.– BizAgi Process Modeler – a freeware, highly

functional BPMN compliant application (http://bit.ly/3nVIJM);

– Open Management Group’s BPMN site (http://www.bpmn.org/);

– A poster showing all the BPMN symbols with brief description of each one (http://bit.ly/6IBZxI)

10