Common Terminology
We will see that there are different ways to model a process but there are some common definitions.
Process
A set of activities which are initiated by a trigger and end with an output.
Triggers
Processes are initiated by one of 3 business events (triggers):
- External Triggers – originate outside the organisation. E.g. a prospective student making a course application.
- Internal Triggers – originate within the organisation. E.g. A Manager asking a member of their team to perform a specific process.
- Time-Based Triggers – business events that occur at a regular point-in-time. E.g. The payroll run is always initiated to ensure wages are paid on the last working day of the month.
Task
An activity conducted by one actor (person or team who conduct the activity), in one place at one time.
A task will end if…
- the actor hands over to another actor.
- the work moves to a different location.
- the actor waits for something else to happen (e.g. a customer reply).
- time dictates that the task is over (e.g. end of shift).
Step
The individual activities which are carried out to perform a task. A task is the sum of its steps.