procesas

Procesas is a concept that denotes a sequence of actions, steps, or events that move a system from an initial state to a final state. It is a broad term used across disciplines, including natural and social sciences, engineering, business, information technology, and law. In everyday language, people talk about a process when describing procedures, workflows, or changes over time.

The word derives from Latin processus and has circulated through various European languages, acquiring a general sense of forward movement or unfolding. In Lithuanian, the term procesas is used with similar breadth, while more specific contexts may prefer terms such as procedure (procedūra) or sequence (eiga).

Processes can be classified by domain and characteristics. In science, a process describes a system of transformations, such as chemical reactions or ecological changes. In manufacturing and operations, a process is the set of operations that convert inputs into products or services. In computing, a process is a running instance of a program with its own resources. In law or administration, a process refers to procedural steps in a case or transaction.

Common features include inputs, transformation steps, outputs, and often feedback or control. Processes may be linear or branching, deterministic or probabilistic, and subject to optimization. Modeling tools such as flowcharts, data-flow diagrams, or state machines are used to describe and analyze processes. Process management seeks to improve efficiency, quality, and reliability, using methods such as PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Act) or Lean Six Sigma.