Core Process Map

A core process map visualizes the business concept from a process perspective. It provides a high-level overview of what the organisation does, its purpose, and for whom. It may also illustrate the value proposition and core values of the organisation. The map is used to understand and optimize the organisation's processes, serving as the foundation for identifying areas that need development and improvement. 

Difference Between a Core Process Map and a Detailed Process Map

A core process map outlines the key processes of the organisation in broad steps and shows their interrelationships. It offers a very general picture of the organisation's activities and represents the highest level of business processes. These can then be broken down into various levels of detail, such as subprocesses or processes at activity level. Unlike a detailed process map, which describes step by step what is done in a process, who does what, and how tasks are performed in descriptions or procedures, a core process map focuses on the bigger picture.

A core process map should be accessible to the entire organisation and sometimes external stakeholders, while a detailed process map is often intended for those directly involved in or affected by the activities in the specific process. 

Components of a Core Process Map

A core process map consists of management processes, core processes, and support processes. 

Core processes, also referred to as main or key processes, are directly linked to the main stakeholder – such as the customer, citizen, patient, or whoever the organisation serves. These are the processes that the organisation fundamentally relies on, contributing directly to meeting the needs of the main stakeholder. Common core processes typically include marketing, sales, delivery, and customer care. 

Management processes controls or govern the core processes, determining how they should be conducted: who the target group is, what is delivered to them, at what quality level and with what available resources. This is where plans, goals, budgets, guidelines, and strategies are created. Management processes are divided into two categories: planning and follow-up processes. Examples of management processes include budgeting, business planning, goal setting, or tracking and adjusting the organisation's outcome. 

Support processes are indirectly linked to the customer and usually have internal recipients. These processes enable core processes to function optimally and efficiently. Support processes often include HR, workplace safety, IT, finance, or similar functions.

PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act)

Through this breakdown of processes, a built-in PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act) is integrated into the core process map. We plan, check, and act within the management processes and execute (Do) within the core and support processes. PDCA is a method used to systematically work on continuous improvements, risk management, and enhancing the efficiency of the organisation and its processes.

Below is an example of a core process map in 2c8.