What is process mapping?
Process mapping describes a series of connected steps or actions that achieve an outcome. Organizations often use it to gain an understanding of their existing functional processes and a clear sense of their needs. This enhances their ability to develop a deliberate course of action to improve the timeliness and quality of services.

As forensic planners, we also use process mapping to translate scientific needs into improvements in facility design. Incorporating results derived from process mapping into the pre-design phase of a facility adds a greater level of detail and understanding of forensic scientific methodologies. Additionally, it informs solutions for developing facilities that address equipment needs, variable analytical demands, contamination issues, staff health and safety, and even security.

Our version of process mapping is a software-based tool that establishes a clear and comprehensive picture of how the forensic laboratory currently works or plans to work. It visually displays starting and ending points for functional activities, standards, and quality of input sequences throughout the process. The process could belong to a scientific group, a department, a single scientist, public interaction with a forensic facility, and even the evidence receipt activity, to name a few. It also documents relationships of each function tomore fully understand existing processes and purpose for the outcome.

There are many different layers of activities and resources that we can reviewin addition to the analytical process, such as:

• Personnel
• Performanceimprovement opportunities
• Technology
• Training
• Casemanagement enhancements
• Accreditation

Not only can process mapping make work more visible so that a frame of reference is established, it canalso aid the agency in other ways tied to facilities management, such as:

• Analyzing existing or programmed spaces
• Validating staff numbers and equipmentneeds
• Confirming adjacencies between departments
• Setting updatabases for new protocols
• Verifying square footage amounts
• Enhancing space efficiencies

A process map uses symbols, lines, and text to depict operations in graphical form. There are three basic types of maps: relationship, cross-function, and flowchart. Relationship and cross-function maps focus on either the big picture of products and services or the organization of personnel and responsibilities. Flowcharts illustrate actual work processes, breaking down tasks into smallcomponents. We will explore flowcharts in greater detail in this article.