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Chapter 7: Process Analysis and Design

Additional resources for this chapter

instructor material

DOI:

10.1891/9780826126535.0007

Abstract

Variations in process quality and flow times hinder a process’s ability to deliver services in a timely manner. This chapter focuses on flow improvement and tool-based approach to analyzing a process and redesigning it for prompt service delivery. A well-designed process should support the organizational strategy. At a time when the strategic emphasis is on producing value in healthcare, processes should be designed to minimize errors and maximize efficiency. The chapter helps the learner to know about various design tools and techniques, such as basic flowcharts, swimlane diagrams, simulation models, and value stream maps. These tools are all popular process depictions that help visualize its flow, intricacies, and points of failure and stoppages. Process activity charts are popular process analysis tools that complement 5w2h frameworks. Process activity charts examine the flow of activities and assess whether or not they create value.