Understanding processes with hierarchical process mapping

In my work, I spend a lot of time talking to people about hierarchical process mapping. It strikes me as funny that whenever I mention this term, everyone has a different vision of what I am talking about. Exhibit 1 lists a number of different diagramming and mapping terms that sometimes are used interchangeably with “process mapping.” No wonder there is confusion about this very important process improvement tool! Hierarchical process mapping differs in important ways from the other approaches listed in Exhibit 1. In particular, none of the other mapping methods show relationships with supporting processes, nor do they provide links for presenting important process documentation, such as accounting sheets. Process mapping does both. My intention in promoting the use of hierarchical process mapping is not to minimize the importance of other mapping techniques, but rather to emphasize the usefulness of a unique process characterization methodology that many people are not yet familiar with.