Identifying Activities in a Business Process

After you have outlined a business need and the steps that fulfill it, you must identify in detail the activities within each step that enable the process to move forward.

For example, the following table identifies the activities in each step of the example process for Customer Order Processing (see Identifying Business NeedsIdentifying Business Needs):

Step Description Activities
1. Order Entry Customers order merchandise by sending EDI documents.
  • Orders enter system through a communications adapter for HTTP, AS2, or FTP, or through the EDI VAN.
2. Order Processing Translate and forward order data.
  • EDI translator translates EDI document into order processing system format.
  • Order documents are sent to the order processing application.
  • Picktickets are produced and sent to warehouse.
  • Order processing application sends shipping information to order fulfillment department.
3. Order Fulfillment Workers fulfill orders and initiate record-keeping.
  • Orders are picked.
  • Shipping records and pickticket information sent to data processing.
4. Data processing Data for filled orders recorded and transmitted.
  • Order data updated.
  • Invoice data generated.
  • Data sent to Accounts Receivable application.
  • Data sent to Inventory Control application.
5. Inventory control Inventory data processed.
  • Inventory control system records updated.
  • Process for augmenting inventory may be initiated.
6. Accounts receivable Invoice processed.
  • Accounts Receivable system generates invoice statements.
  • Invoices translated to EDI.
  • Invoices sent to customers through communications adapters.

After you have outlined the activities within your process, proceed to Identifying SubprocessesIdentifying Subprocesses.