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New Post 3/17/2009 1:13 PM
User is offline cgullage
4 posts
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Workflow documentation 

I am a new BA - so please forgive me if this is the wrong place to ask this!

I am tasked with documenting a workflow for the company that will define the sales to billing process. This is a cross functional process, and one that needs to be documented on a timeline (number of days required to complete task) to ensure milestones are met. 

Are there any examples of this kind of document out there? I like to learn by example -- makes me feel like I am not off in the weeds!  I've started a flowchart that looks like it is in a matrix... time on the horizontal and function on the vertical, with the decisions/processes in the middle. Does that sound about right?

Thanks!

christine

 

 

 
New Post 3/18/2009 12:05 AM
User is offline Adrian M.
764 posts
3rd Level Poster




Re: Workflow documentation 

Hi Christine,

If you are a new Business Analyst then I would suggest using and learning the newer process/workflow modeling techniques.  I would suggest taking a look at BPMN (Business Process Modeling Notation).

In your case (regardless what modeling technique you use), you could consider the Sales Department and the Billing Department to be two separate entities (which sounds like they are) and create a swimlane for each one of them.  Your process will then show the sales process and the billing process in one diagram with the swimlanes making it clear who is doing what.

Here are some resources which you might find relevant:

Hope this helps!

- Adrian


Adrian Marchis
Business Analyst Community Blog - Post your thoughts!
 
New Post 3/18/2009 2:13 AM
User is offline Guy Beauchamp
257 posts
www.smart-ba.com
5th Level Poster




Re: Workflow documentation 

Adrian,

Would Christine not also benefit from the Why & How Process Modelling article due to be published by Modern Analyst on March 23rd?

Guy

 
New Post 3/19/2009 6:02 AM
User is offline cgullage
4 posts
No Ranking


Re: Workflow documentation 

My only concern, upon viewing the BPMN examples, is that stakeholders will be unfamiliar with this type of flow chart. Would you suggest including a legend (to explain the start/activity elements for example)?

 
New Post 3/19/2009 6:10 AM
User is offline Guy Beauchamp
257 posts
www.smart-ba.com
5th Level Poster




Re: Workflow documentation 

Christine,

There is a great BPMN legend on this site here. Of course the stakeholders should not be using the diagrams without you or another BA who knows how they work: the diagrams are not just pictures they are technical diagrams defining process dependency rules...

Guy

 
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