Business Process
A business process is a sequence of actions and tasks performed to achieve a specific result in a company.
Simply put:
a set of steps by which a business operates
What a business process consists of
Typically includes:
- input data,
- sequence of actions,
- participants in the process,
- tools and systems,
- the final result.
Examples of business processes
In sales:
- receiving a lead,
- lead processing,
- negotiations,
- closing the deal.
In an online store:
- placing an order,
- payment,
- picking,
- delivery of goods.
In HR:
- candidate sourcing,
- interviews,
- employee onboarding.
Why business processes are needed
They help to:
- standardize work,
- increase efficiency,
- reduce errors,
- automate tasks,
- improve control and management.
Main types of business processes
- Core processes — Directly create value for the customer.
sales, production, delivery - Support processes — Support business operations.
accounting, HR, IT - Management processes — Related to planning and control.
analytics, strategy, team management
How business processes are described
Using:
- flowcharts and diagrams,
- BPMN,
- regulations,
- process maps.
Example
A customer leaves a request on the website →
CRM creates a lead
The manager contacts the customer
A proposal is created
The deal is closed
This is a sales business process.
Why it is important to optimize processes
Well-designed processes help to:
- save resources,
- speed up work,
- improve service quality,
- scale the business more easily.
Key takeaway
A business process is a sequence of actions aimed at achieving a specific result in a company. Effective business processes make a business more systematic, manageable, and profitable.
