Prosessit

Prosessit, the plural form of prosessi in Finnish, refer to structured sequences of activities that convert inputs into outputs in order to achieve a specific goal. They are a core concept across many fields, including manufacturing, services, administration, software development and research. A process has a purpose, a defined starting point and end, and typically involves ordered steps, roles, resources and rules. Outputs are produced that meet defined specifications or customer needs, and performance is influenced by factors such as cycle time, capacity and quality.

Common types include business processes, which create value for customers and can be core (primary) or support (administrative) processes; production and manufacturing processes; service delivery processes; and administrative or back-office processes such as procurement or human resources. Processes can be manual, automated or hybrid, and they often cross organizational boundaries.

Process modeling and management are used to understand, document and improve processes. Techniques include flowcharts, BPMN diagrams and process maps, as well as assigning process ownership. The typical lifecycle includes design, modeling, implementation, monitoring and ongoing optimization, often supported by process metrics and information systems.

To assess and improve processes, organizations use performance indicators such as cycle time, throughput, cost, defect rate and customer satisfaction. Methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma and Kaizen guide gradual or radical improvements. Digital technologies—workflow systems, enterprise resource planning, robotic process automation and process mining—enhance visibility, automation and control, while governance addresses compliance, risk management and change management.