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New Post 10/2/2012 2:54 PM
User is offline AG
2 posts
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Distinguishing prep work from "day of" in mapping 

Distinguishing prep work from "day of" in mapping

I am working on my first business process mapping project and am having trouble conceptualizing how to proceed.

I would like to capture a number of processes that occur in preparation for the "day of" of my main process.

For example, if my main event is selling tickets to a concert, I consider "day of" as the first day when tickets will become available to the public.

But I of course need to take certain steps to prepare for that day.

Additionally once tickets go on sale, there are certain steps that happen everyday while tickets are available (e.g., end-of-day reporting).

But on the next day, tickets are on sale again, and the same end-of-day reports need to be run.

When tickets sell out, I keep a list of interested parties and contact them if spaces open up.

How can these parallel process be mapped, especially since they all converge at the end?

Do I need a one map for the prep work and a separate map for tasks that occur every day?

Thank you!

 
New Post 10/3/2012 7:33 AM
User is offline Tony Markos
493 posts
5th Level Poster


Re: Distinguishing prep work from "day of" in mapping 

Hi:

You definitely want an integrated map.   You do not want to have models that do not tie together.

Basically, your issue is that it is not possible to  line up all your processes in sequence, even with flow of control branching.    This is a very common problem.  Systems, especially at higher levels of abstraction are often non-sequential.

What I do is, at a higher level of abstraction, create data flow diagrams.  DFD were specifically created to address the non-sequential nature of systems at higher levels.   I then decompose the DFD's downward and use a sequential technique, like BPMN, to capture the details.  At the detail level, you can always specify system behavior sequentially.

Tony

 
New Post 10/3/2012 7:37 AM
User is offline AG
2 posts
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Re: Distinguishing prep work from "day of" in mapping 

Thank you, Tony.

I don't totally understand some of what you wrote, but I have some leads now.

Any other suggestions would be helpful.

AG

 
New Post 10/14/2012 3:30 AM
User is offline Kimbo
456 posts
5th Level Poster


Re: Distinguishing prep work from "day of" in mapping 

 hi AG,

i'd probably have a high level diagram something like

prepare - sell - tidy up

in the sell sub diagram show the steps taken and use gates to show decision points and parallel processing. end point is either

selling out or end of day.

I use bpmn. it will be simple to do.

kimbo

 
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