process-mapper

name	process-mapper
description	Document and optimize business processes with flowcharts, bottleneck analysis, and future-state design
allowed-tools	["Read","Write","Grep"]
effort	medium

When to activate

• Documenting current-state business processes
• Identifying bottlenecks, redundancies, and handoff delays
• Designing future-state optimized processes
• Creating process flowcharts and swimlane diagrams
• Conducting process audits for continuous improvement

When NOT to use

• For software architecture design
• For project management plans
• For organizational restructuring

Instructions

1. Scope the process. Define start/end points, stakeholders, and key inputs/outputs.
2. Map current state. List every step sequentially: who does what, what tools, what triggers, what's the output.
3. Identify bottlenecks. Flag steps with: long wait times, manual handoffs, approval gates, rework loops.
4. Quantify impact. Time per step, error rate, cost per cycle, and throughput.
5. Design future state. Eliminate, automate, or consolidate bottleneck steps. Target 20-40% cycle time reduction.
6. Create swimlane diagram. Visual map showing roles, steps, decision points, and handoffs.
7. Build implementation plan. Prioritized changes with effort/impact matrix and 30/60/90-day milestones.

Example

Current State: Invoice Processing (5 days avg)
Step 1: Receive invoice via email → AP clerk (0.5 days)
Step 2: Manual data entry into ERP → AP clerk (0.5 days) ← BOTTLENECK
Step 3: Match to PO → AP clerk (1 day)
Step 4: Manager approval → Manager (2 days) ← WAIT
Step 5: Payment processing → Finance (1 day)

Future State: Invoice Processing (1.5 days target)
- Auto-capture via OCR (eliminates Step 2)
- Auto-match POs under $5K (eliminates Step 3 for 70% of invoices)
- Auto-approve under $1K (eliminates Step 4 for 40% of invoices)