Processes

A process is a series of actions or steps designed to accomplish a particular result. It describes how inputs such as materials, information, or energy are transformed into outputs through a structured sequence of operations, governed by rules, constraints, and feedback from the environment. Processes are characterized by their inputs, transformations, outputs, resources, ownership, and performance measures.

Natural and physical processes include the cycles and transformations observed in nature, such as photosynthesis, respiration, the water cycle, erosion, and chemical reactions. These processes operate continuously, often without conscious control, and can be classified by scale from molecular to planetary.

Industrial and organizational processes refer to the designed and managed sequences that produce goods or services. This includes manufacturing processes, supply chains, and administrative workflows. Process management aims to standardize, monitor, and improve processes to increase quality, efficiency, and adaptability. Common approaches include process modeling, workflow automation, and continuous improvement methods such as Six Sigma and Lean.

In computing, a process is an instance of a running program with its own memory space, system resources, and execution context. An operating system schedules processes, supports multitasking, and enables communication between processes through interprocess communication mechanisms.

Measurement and governance of processes rely on metrics such as cycle time, throughput, yield, defect rate, and cost. Process design often uses schematic models and standards (for example, business process modeling notation) to visualize steps and dependencies. Effective process management supports consistency, scalability, and adaptability across domains.