Alapfolyamat

Alapfolyamat is a Hungarian term used to describe the core sequence of activities in a system that transforms inputs into outputs. It denotes the essential operations that create value and largely determine the performance of a process, as opposed to supporting or peripheral activities. The exact scope of an alapfolyamat depends on the domain, but it generally includes the main value-adding steps that directly affect product quality, cost, lead time, and overall capacity.

In manufacturing and process engineering, the alapfolyamat comprises the primary conversion steps, such as material processing, assembly, and packaging, that transform raw materials into finished products. In chemical engineering, it refers to the primary reactions, separations, and heat and mass transfer steps needed to produce a target product. In service industries and information systems, alapfolyamat covers the core workflows that fulfill the service promise or perform essential data processing.

Analyzing an alapfolyamat typically involves mapping the sequence of steps, measuring performance indicators like throughput, cycle time, yield, and energy use, and identifying bottlenecks or waste. Improvement approaches such as lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or value stream mapping are commonly applied to optimize these core activities.

Identification of the alapfolyamat usually depends on value creation: steps that directly change the product or service are considered core, while non-value-added or supportive activities are treated as peripheral. Because usage can vary by organization, the exact definition of an alapfolyamat should be tailored to the specific process and goals.