People struggle to understand what is meant by 'Process'. Really it's quite simple. I've just started the NHS Future Learn course on Lean and here is a good video clip that goes some way to an explanation.

Once you have identified a process it MUST be documented. You cannot improve a process until everyone involved in the process understands the process. This is the dificult bit in healthcare, particularly when it is a multidisiplinary team that works in the process. Nevertheless it must be done.

Process mapping is the best way of documenting a process and here are some examples on how to map or visualise a process - but first we need to understand the difference between process mapping and process modelling.

1. The basic process
2. Making a cup of tea
3. Example healthcare process maps

The Procedures that define the Tasks in a Process must be formulated in such a way to ensure that staff have the freedom to make their own clinical decisions relevant to particular situations. This is a skill acquired through practice.