Process Flow Analysis (PFA)

Process Flow Analysis (PFA for short) is used to help fully understand the current condition of any process. It draws upon waste elimination, value adding and visual management techniques, to map out an accurate representation of the current processes used, to be able to then identify areas for improvement activities.

A process flow can:

• make a huge process understandable
• bring a large group together
• resolved differences
• create a vision
• create an action plan

PFA is a visual aid to enable us to "SEE" the whole process from end to end, identifying the value, making it flow and eliminate waste. PFA helps to address the five elements in the cycle = Specify Value * Identify the value stream * Flow * Pull * Perfection – all aimed at relentlessly eliminating waste from a process.

This module draws upon "Lean" principles: Lean is often described as an approach for providing products or services that a customer requires on-time, of the right quality, at the right price, in the right amount, whilst meeting budgetary constraints and continually reducing costs.

This module includes a "notes" feature which encourages learners to focus their thinking around real life situations from their work place. At points throughout the course learners will be asked to stop and think about their own work situation and, using the "notes" feature, document how this could apply in their own work environment.

This module also gives you a step-by-step guide of how to create a flow diagram using Excel.

The overall aim of this module is to give learners a broad knowledge of the theory behind and the tips for undertaking Process Flow Analysis.

Having completed this module learners will be able to:

• Understand the process flow tool and how to use it
• Understand the pitfalls and issues associated with running a process flow
• Understand the importance of the action plan

Lesson Plan

Areas covered include:

• Welcome and Learning Objectives
• Lean Principles
• Process Flow Analysis and Summary

Accreditation

The content of this course has been independently certified as conforming to universally accepted Continuous Professional Development (CPD) guidelines.

Certification

On completion of this course you will be able to download a Virtual College certificate.

Duration

Approximately 3 - 4 hours. The length of time taken depends entirely on how quickly you can study and absorb the material. You can proceed as quickly or slowly as you like.

Target Audience

This e-learning module is aimed at anyone running a large process flow project involving teams; however, the principles are the same for smaller-scale activities. Process Flow is equally powerful with two people, a piece of paper and a pen.

Although this module uses examples and scenarios from a Health and Social Care setting, it is equally useful to anyone outside of this sector, who would like to understand Process Flow.

Entry Requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this module.

How it Works

What

This is an online course, all the training will be taken through your browser window. There will be no face-to-face sessions with instructors nor will you receive any training material through the post. If you wish you may print out any page of the training material and may also print the notes you took during the training.

You can also revisit the training material at any time, even after you have completed the course.

How

The material for this course has been broken down into several smaller lessons, each lesson dealing with a specific area of the overall subject.

The lesson consists of a series of pages in which an instructor will talk you through the lesson material at a pace that suits you. Pages may also include supporting pictures, graphs, animation or extra sounds to help with the learning where appropriate. Some lessons will include challenges/quizzes to help you keep in touch and interested in the material.

Lessons can be taken in any order and each lesson may be PAUSED and RESUMED at any stage. When all lessons in the course have been completed our system will realise and automatically record that you have successfully completed the course

When

The course is self-paced so you decide how fast or slow the training goes. You can complete the course in stages revisiting the training at any time.

Currently there are no Q&As for this course. Be the first to ask a question.