Process visualization

Processes are the backbone of every successful company. They determine how efficiently and purposefully workflows are designed and have a direct influence on productivity, quality and ultimately on the company's success. However, these processes often remain abstract and difficult to grasp, especially for employees who work with them on a daily basis. This is where process visualization comes into play. But what exactly is process visualization and how can it help your company?

In this guide, you will learn what process visualization means, how you can depict and map processes and why visually prepared processes are of great benefit to your company. We also explain how Dialogbild can help you visualize complex processes clearly and comprehensibly.

What is process visualization?

Process visualization refers to the graphical representation of workflows and processes within a company. The aim is to make processes that are often difficult to understand or only documented in written form clearer through visual representations. The aim of visualizing processes is to simplify complex procedures and give all those involved a clear overview of the individual steps, responsibilities and dependencies.

A good process visualization can take various forms, e.g. as:

  • Flowcharts
  • Bar charts
  • Process maps
  • Organizational charts
  • Step-by-step instructions

These visualizations help to capture and understand the entire flow of a process - from start to finish. They serve as a means of communication between different departments and facilitate collaboration and efficiency within a company.

Why is the visualization of processes important?

A clear and well-structured process visualization has numerous benefits:

1. Improved communication and collaboration:

A process visualization makes it easier to understand processes as it provides a clear and concise representation of workflows. This helps employees to understand their role and responsibilities within the process and improves cross-departmental communication.

2. Increase efficiency:

When you visualize processes, you often identify weak points or inefficient steps in the process. By visually mapping processes, these can be quickly identified and optimized, which increases efficiency.

3. Error minimization:

Misunderstandings and errors often arise when processes are not clearly communicated. A well-designed process visualization ensures that all employees understand the processes correctly, thereby minimizing potential errors.

4. Uniformity:

he visualization of processes helps to establish standards within the company. If all employees work according to the same, clearly defined and visualized processes, consistency in process handling is improved.

5. Training and induction:

Process visualizations are ideal for training and inducting new employees. Instead of having to work their way through extensive written documentation, a visualized process overview quickly gives new employees a clear picture of how the company's processes are structured.

 

How can you visualize and map processes?

Processes can be visualized in different ways, depending on their complexity and target group. Here are some proven methods for presenting processes clearly and comprehensibly:

1. Flowcharts

Flowcharts are one of the most commonly used methods for process visualization. They provide a clear graphical representation of steps, decisions and dependencies within a process. Flowcharts are particularly useful for visualizing decision trees and alternative paths.

2. Process maps

A process map provides a comprehensive overview of all relevant company processes and their relationships to each other. It shows how the various processes are linked to each other and where there are overlaps or dependencies.

3. Organizational charts

Organizational charts represent the hierarchy within a company or process and show who is responsible for which steps or departments. This makes it easier for employees to understand their own roles and responsibilities.

4. Swimlane diagrams

Swimlane diagrams are particularly suitable for illustrating which departments or people are involved in the various phases of a process. Each "swim lane" is assigned an area of responsibility, which clearly separates and visualizes responsibilities.

5. Bar charts

Bar charts are often used to visualize time-based processes or project plans. They show which steps in a process run in parallel or depend on each other and how long each step takes.

Process optimization through visualization

A well-thought-out visualization of your processes not only provides a clear representation of workflows, but also reveals potential for optimization. By mapping processes, weak points such as redundant tasks, unnecessary steps or bottlenecks can be uncovered. This gives you the opportunity to make targeted improvements to make your workflows more efficient and productive.

How Dialogbild can support you

The visualization of processes can be complex, especially if the workflows and dependencies in your company are extensive. This is exactly where DIALOGBILD comes into play. As a specialized agency for visual communication, we help you to visualize processes in such a way that they are easy to understand and comprehend for everyone involved.

1. Customized process visualization

DIALOGBILD develops customized visualizations that are tailored to the individual needs of your company. We create vivid representations that make complex processes understandable, whether through our high-end dialog picture or a 3D solution.

2. Digital process illustrations

In addition to static illustrations, we also offer digital solutions. These can be used on your website, in internal training courses or in presentations and enable your employees to understand processes even better.

3. Support for internal communication

Clear process visualization is not only important to optimize internal processes, but also to improve communication between departments. We create visual aids that promote collaboration and mutual understanding.

Audi Presswerk Prozessvisualisierung Werksführung Dialogbild Agentur für Visualisierung von Prozessen, Veränderungen und Visionen.

AUDI PRESSING PLANT

Future is an attitude ...

... a vision that more than 43,000 employees in Ingolstadt alone are working on effectively and with passion. For more than 70 years, well-known models have rolled out of production all over the world. Enthusiastic customers can follow the basic principles of production on a guided tour of the plant. When designing the visitor route, the company once again opted for a dialog picture to visualize the individual processes of the press shop. The processes and interrelationships can be grasped at first glance and are presented in an easily understandable way from a bird's eye view. ...

 

Schaeffler Produkion 3D Grafik Visionsbild Dialogbild Agentur für Visualisierung von Prozessen, Veränderungen und Visionen.

FSCHAEFFLER PRODUCTION

Bombardier Improvement Vision Operation Excellence Leitbild Strategiebild Dialogbild Agentur für Visualisierung von Prozessen, Veränderungen und Visionen.

Logo von Bombardier

IMPROVEMENT VISION

WORKSHOP AND ILLUSTRATION

The dialog picture for the Bombardier plant was developed in several stages. First, an internal workshop was held for Bombardier employees, where they discussed and defined the content of the dialog picture themselves. Some of the first scribbles for scenes that would later appear in the image were already created.

Using the grid that had already been used in the dialog picture for another Bombardier plant, the positions of the individual scenes in the picture could be determined right from the start. ...

Frequently asked questions

What is process visualization?

Process visualization refers to the graphical representation of workflows and processes within a company. It is used to present complex processes in an understandable way by making the individual steps, responsibilities and dependencies visible. This helps to better understand and optimize the entire process flow.

Why is process visualization important?
Process visualization is important because it:

  • Creates clarity: It enables a simple and understandable representation of complex processes.
  • Improves communication: It facilitates cross-departmental collaboration as everyone involved can understand the processes.
  • Increases efficiency: The visual representation allows weak points and optimization potential to be identified.
  • Minimizes errors: Misunderstandings and errors are reduced thanks to clearer processes.

What methods are there for process visualization?
There are various methods for visualizing processes, including

  • Flowcharts: Used to illustrate decision-making processes and dependencies.
  • Process maps: Show the connection between different company processes.
  • Swimlane diagrams: Show which departments or people are responsible for specific process phases.
  • Organizational charts: Illustrate hierarchies and responsibilities.
  • Bar charts: Show time-based processes or project plans.

Where is process visualization used?
Process visualization is used in many areas of a company, including

  • Internal communication: to explain workflows or strategies.
  • Training and induction: New employees can understand processes more quickly thanks to visual representations.
  • Process optimization: Weak points in processes are identified and eliminated through visualization.
  • Project management: To illustrate progress and responsibilities in projects.

What are the advantages of visualizing processes?
The visualization of processes offers the following advantages:

  • Better comprehensibility: Complex processes are presented in a simpler and more understandable way.
  • More efficient collaboration: Departments and teams can better understand and coordinate processes.
  • Recognize optimization potential: Inefficient steps or bottlenecks in the process become visible more quickly through visualization.
  • Consistency: Uniform processes are communicated more clearly and standardized through visualization.

How can Dialogbild help with process visualization?
Dialogbild offers tailor-made solutions for process visualization. We support companies in visualizing complex processes and making them understandable. Our services include:

  • Tailor-made visualizations: Individual representations of processes that are specifically tailored to your needs.
  • Visual process optimization: Identification and presentation of optimization potential.
  • Interactive and digital solutions: Development of interactive process visualizations for training courses, websites and presentations.

Can process visualization increase a company's efficiency?
Yes, by visualizing processes, weak points and inefficient steps quickly become visible. Companies can optimize these processes, thereby increasing efficiency and productivity. Visualization also facilitates collaboration between departments and ensures a better understanding of processes.

How can you integrate process visualization into your daily work?
Process visualizations can be used in the form of diagrams, maps or interactive tools in daily work. For example, they can be integrated into meetings, training sessions, presentations or as part of a digital process management tool. It is important that the visualizations are clear and regularly updated to convey relevant information.

Which software tools can be used for process visualization?
There are various software tools for process visualization, including

  • Microsoft Visio: one of the most popular tools for creating flowcharts and organizational charts.
  • Lucidchart: A cloud-based solution for creating diagrams.
  • Miro: An online whiteboard for visual collaboration.
  • Creately: A tool for creating flowcharts and mind maps.

How can DIALOGBILD help with process visualization?
Dialogbild offers tailor-made solutions for process visualization. We support companies in visualizing complex processes and making them understandable. Our services include:

  • Tailor-made visualizations: Individual representations of processes that are specifically tailored to your needs.
  • Visual process optimization: Presentation of optimization potential.
  • Digital solutions: Development of process visualizations for training courses, websites and presentations.

How often should a process visualization be updated?
Process visualizations should be reviewed and updated regularly, especially when processes change or are optimized. An annual review is usually advisable to ensure that all the processes depicted are still current and relevant.