The Role of Process Classification Frameworks in Process Mapping
Jul/27/2023 Filed in: Process Classification
What is a Process Classification Framework?
As defined by APQC (APQC.org), “Process frameworks are essentially lists of all the key processes performed in an organization, grouped hierarchically to show how they relate to each other.“ In other words, it's a comprehensive, structured list of business processes that can be used as a standard/example for creating and organizing your organization's list of business processes.
The APQC offers a few different Process Classification Frameworks(PCFs). There's the Cross Industry... that generally applies to any business. Then there are more specific versions for:
Where Process Classification Fits in the Business Process Mapping Discipline
Keeping business process documentation organized is one of the basic responsibilities of a Business Process Analyst. The first step in organizing process documentation is to establish a Process Classification Framework. Think of a PCF as a process naming, file naming, classification, and numbering system. Any serious, deliberate effort to produce business process documentation will result in a wide range of different types of documentation. By establishing an organizational PCF before you start creating any documentation, you'll have a system for classifying and organizing your documentation by process name. In the long run, that will make it easy for people to find and use the documentation.
A Process Naming Convention
Notice how the name of a process is structured in APQC's PCFs. The standard is to use an active voice, verb-object sentence structure. A process name should always begin with a verb. It's followed by a noun, which is the object of the verb. For example, the name of the process shouldn't be "The Blog Writing Process." Instead, the process name should be, "Write a Blog Post."
Process Levels
In referring to a PCF you might discover that a process can be further decomposed into sub-processes. The APQC actually consists of up to five levels of process decomposition. Not every process is decomposed down to five levels, but many are.
Process Metrics
Most of APQC's PCFs are published in both PDF and Excel file formats. The Excel versions have two tabs of information not found in the PDF versions. The Glossary Terms tab is a list of processes with a descriptive definition of each process. The metrics tab is a list of nearly 2000 process metrics.
Other Specific PCFs
APQC isn't the only organization that has PCFs. Some industries have PCFs that were developed by industry associations or consortiums. For example there are the SCOR, eTOM, VRM frameworks.
I did some quick research and found the following:
You can also find other PCFs by searching the Internet using certain phrases and keywords. For example,
precede the search term with the name of the industry, followed by:
* Process Classification
* Process Model
* Process Framework
* Process standard
* Performance standards
* Value Chain
* SIPOC
* Data Model
* Standards
* Governance
* Software Requirements
* Terminology
A Process Classification Framework is simply an outline of all the typical business processes found in any organization. You can use APQC's PCF as an example to follow in setting up your organization's PCF.
As defined by APQC (APQC.org), “Process frameworks are essentially lists of all the key processes performed in an organization, grouped hierarchically to show how they relate to each other.“ In other words, it's a comprehensive, structured list of business processes that can be used as a standard/example for creating and organizing your organization's list of business processes.
The APQC offers a few different Process Classification Frameworks(PCFs). There's the Cross Industry... that generally applies to any business. Then there are more specific versions for:
- Aerospace and Defense
- Airlines
- Automotive
- Banking
- Broadcasting
- City Government
- Consumer Electronics
- Consumer Products
- Corrosion
- Downstream Petroleum
- Education
- Healthcare Provider
- Health Insurance Payer
- Life Sciences
- Property and Casualty Insurance
- Retail
- Telecommunications
- Upstream Petroleum
- Utilities
Where Process Classification Fits in the Business Process Mapping Discipline
Keeping business process documentation organized is one of the basic responsibilities of a Business Process Analyst. The first step in organizing process documentation is to establish a Process Classification Framework. Think of a PCF as a process naming, file naming, classification, and numbering system. Any serious, deliberate effort to produce business process documentation will result in a wide range of different types of documentation. By establishing an organizational PCF before you start creating any documentation, you'll have a system for classifying and organizing your documentation by process name. In the long run, that will make it easy for people to find and use the documentation.
A Process Naming Convention
Notice how the name of a process is structured in APQC's PCFs. The standard is to use an active voice, verb-object sentence structure. A process name should always begin with a verb. It's followed by a noun, which is the object of the verb. For example, the name of the process shouldn't be "The Blog Writing Process." Instead, the process name should be, "Write a Blog Post."
Process Levels
In referring to a PCF you might discover that a process can be further decomposed into sub-processes. The APQC actually consists of up to five levels of process decomposition. Not every process is decomposed down to five levels, but many are.
Process Metrics
Most of APQC's PCFs are published in both PDF and Excel file formats. The Excel versions have two tabs of information not found in the PDF versions. The Glossary Terms tab is a list of processes with a descriptive definition of each process. The metrics tab is a list of nearly 2000 process metrics.
Other Specific PCFs
APQC isn't the only organization that has PCFs. Some industries have PCFs that were developed by industry associations or consortiums. For example there are the SCOR, eTOM, VRM frameworks.
I did some quick research and found the following:
- A classification framework for Facilities and Real Estate management. The Built Environment Management Model (BEM2)
- BIAN Banking Industry Architecture Reference Model version 11.0
- Microsoft Industry Reference Architecture for Banking (MIRA-B)
- How to Measure the Effectiveness/Value of the Legal Department
- Petroleum Exploration and Production Process Model
You can also find other PCFs by searching the Internet using certain phrases and keywords. For example,
precede the search term with the name of the industry, followed by:
* Process Classification
* Process Model
* Process Framework
* Process standard
* Performance standards
* Value Chain
* SIPOC
* Data Model
* Standards
* Governance
* Software Requirements
* Terminology
A Process Classification Framework is simply an outline of all the typical business processes found in any organization. You can use APQC's PCF as an example to follow in setting up your organization's PCF.