Istprozessen

IstProzessen is a specialized term within German industrial and business contexts, referring to the primary, value-adding operational processes of an organization. These are the core sequences of activities that directly produce goods or deliver services for the external customer. The concept is central to process management and is often contrasted with support processes and management processes.

An IstProzessen, or "actual process," describes the current, real-world state of these core activities as they are being performed, without any idealization or proposed improvements. It represents the factual workflow, including all its potential inefficiencies, delays, and existing resource usage. Documenting the IstProzessen is a critical first step in any business process optimization initiative. This is typically achieved through methods like process mapping, interviews with staff, and direct observation.

The primary purpose of analyzing the IstProzessen is to establish a baseline for comparison. Once the current state is thoroughly understood and mapped, it can be evaluated against a target model, known as the "SollProzessen" or "target process." This comparison highlights gaps, bottlenecks, and areas for enhancement. The ultimate goal is to redesign the core operational processes to increase efficiency, improve quality, reduce costs, and better achieve strategic objectives. Therefore, IstProzessen serves as the foundational reference point for continuous improvement and organizational change.