Processströmmarna

Processströmmarna is a term used in process management to describe the flows of activities, information, and materials that move through an organization during value creation. The concept emphasizes how work is transferred from one step to the next and how different types of inputs and outputs propagate through a process landscape. In practice, processströmmarna helps visualize not only physical material movement but also data, decisions, and tasks that accompany the work.

Typically, processströmmarna are categorized into materialströmmar, informationsströmmar and arbetsströmmar (work streams). Materialströmmar represent physical goods or components, informationsströmmar cover data, orders, and communications, while arbetsströmmar refer to the actionable tasks and handoffs between actors. Mapping these streams alongside process steps enables a holistic view of dependencies, cycle times, wait times, and handover points.

Modeling approaches include process maps, value stream mapping, flow charts, and increasingly, process mining and digital twins. In manufacturing, processströmmarna are closely linked to lean methods and the identification of non-value-adding activities. In services and software development, they help illuminate information bottlenecks and parallelism opportunities. The concept is also relevant for healthcare and public administration, where efficient coordination of streams can improve responsiveness and quality.

Understanding processströmmarna supports better governance, performance measurement, and continuous improvement by highlighting where streams align or diverge, where bottlenecks occur, and where waste can be reduced without compromising value delivery.

See also: value stream mapping, process mining, workflow management, process modeling.