15 process mapping examples every business professional should know
At a glance
Process mapping turns hidden workflows into clear, visual blueprints—helping teams see where things move smoothly and where delays or errors occur.
There are 15 proven types of maps, from simple flowcharts to advanced BPMN diagrams, each suited for different goals and audiences.
Choosing the right map is critical, executives may need a high-level overview, while operations teams benefit from detailed swimlanes or value stream maps.
The future is intelligent and collaborative; AI and automation platforms like Moxo are transforming static diagrams into live, digital workflows that adapt in real time.
Why process mapping matters today
Most businesses lose efficiency not because people are unskilled, but because processes are unclear. According to studies by research firm IDC, inefficiency costs companies anywhere from 20% to 30% of their revenue each year. That’s a staggering amount of wasted effort.
Process mapping is the antidote. By laying out how work actually flows, teams can see every step, uncover bottlenecks, and make responsibilities explicit. A finance team chasing invoice approvals across dozens of emails can lose days each month. Mapping shows exactly where those delays occur and how to fix them.
Instead of relying on guesswork, you get a shared view that drives alignment. In today’s fast-moving, hybrid workplaces, process maps aren’t just nice to have. They’re essential.
What is business process mapping
Business process mapping is the practice of creating a visual representation to illustrate the workflow from start to finish. These maps make tasks, decisions, and responsibilities visible.
Why it matters:
- Teams build a shared language around workflows.
- Onboarding new employees becomes faster.
- Leaders spot bottlenecks and risks.
- Processes become easier to automate.
Think of a process map as a blueprint for how your company actually operates.
Common challenges
If mapping is so useful, why do so many teams struggle with it? A few common pitfalls include:
- Overcomplicating visuals so they become unreadable.
- Leaving out frontline employees who know the real steps.
- Using inconsistent shapes or unclear symbols.
- Failing to update the map as processes evolve.
The result is a pretty diagram that sits unused. To make mapping effective, keep it simple, collaborative, and current.
15 business process mapping examples
Different processes require different approaches. Here are 15 examples every business professional should know:
1. Basic flowchart
A simple diagram that shows steps in sequence, often with rectangles (tasks) and arrows (flow). It is the most intuitive and widely used form of mapping.
Who uses it and when: Teams handling routine workflows or those new to process mapping. Common in finance, IT, or operations.
Example: A finance team mapping out the steps for employee expense reimbursements, from submission to manager approval to payment.
2. High-level process map
Provides a broad overview of a process without going into granular detail. Focuses on major phases rather than individual tasks.
Who uses it and when: Executives and strategy teams who need visibility into end-to-end workflows for planning or alignment.
Example: Leadership creating a high-level process map to compare operations during a merger and identify redundancies.
3. Swimlane diagram
Organizes activities into “lanes” representing departments, teams, or roles, making hand-offs and accountability clear.
Who uses it and when: HR, Legal, Finance, or cross-departmental teams. Especially useful where multiple stakeholders interact.
Example: HR onboarding a new hire, showing how IT sets up equipment, HR manages paperwork, and the manager handles training.
4. SIPOC diagram
Stands for Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, and Customers. It defines the scope of a process at a high level before going into detail.
Who uses it and when: Continuous improvement teams at the start of projects. Often used in Six Sigma initiatives.
Example: A customer support team mapping ticket resolution, identifying inputs (ticket system), processes (triage, assignment), and outputs (resolved issue).
5. Value stream map
Highlights where value is created versus where waste occurs. Shows both process steps and the time each takes.
Who uses it and when: Lean practitioners in manufacturing, logistics, or software. Ideal for spotting inefficiencies.
Example: A SaaS team analyzing feature development, showing how long tasks sit in backlog compared to active development time.
6. Customer journey map
Visualizes customer interactions with a brand across multiple touchpoints, from awareness to purchase and support.
Who uses it and when: Marketing, CX, and product teams to align internal processes with customer experience.
Example: A retailer mapping a customer’s journey from browsing online to visiting a store for pickup, highlighting drop-off points.
7. Service blueprint
Pairs customer actions with the behind-the-scenes activities that support them. Often layered into frontstage (customer-facing) and backstage (internal) views.
Who uses it and when: Service-oriented industries like healthcare, hospitality, and financial services.
Example: A hospital mapping patient check-in, showing how reception, nurses, labs, and doctors all coordinate to deliver a seamless experience.
8. Cross-functional process map
Shows how multiple teams or functions collaborate within a workflow, emphasizing dependencies.
Who uses it and when: Organizations managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
Example: A company preparing a new product launch, with marketing, engineering, and operations all mapping their steps to meet deadlines.
9. Decision tree
Visualizes decisions and possible outcomes in a branching format. Useful for guiding troubleshooting or structured choices.
Who uses it and when: IT teams, compliance, and customer service groups dealing with conditional workflows.
Example: An IT helpdesk mapping “If password reset fails → escalate to IT security; if successful → user gains access.”
10. Kanban board map
Visualizes tasks as cards on a board, grouped into columns like “to-do,” “in progress,” and “done.” Focuses on workflow status and throughput.
Who uses it and when: Agile teams, project managers, and operations teams managing task flows.
Example: A software development team tracking features from backlog through development and testing to release.
11. RACI chart
Clarifies roles by identifying who is Responsible, Accountable, consulted, and Informed at each step. Focuses on accountability.
Who uses it and when: Project managers, compliance-heavy teams, and audit-focused industries.
Example: A consulting firm mapping who is responsible for drafting a client deliverable, who approves it, and who needs to be informed.
12. Gantt chart
A timeline-based chart that shows tasks, their duration, dependencies, and milestones.
Who uses it and when: Construction, consulting, or large project teams needing schedule visibility.
Example: A construction firm mapping a building project timeline with dependencies like permits, foundation, and framing.
13. Process flow diagram
A detailed, often technical, representation of how materials or steps move through a process. Common in engineering and compliance.
Who uses it and when: Engineers, manufacturing teams, or industries with regulatory oversight.
Example: A chemical manufacturer mapping production steps to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.
14. BPMN diagram
Business Process Model and Notation uses standardized symbols for tasks, events, gateways, and data. Offers precision for complex workflows.
Who uses it and when: Banking, insurance, and enterprise teams needing automation-ready processes.
Example: A bank using BPMN to model loan approvals, including rules for different loan sizes and compliance checkpoints.
15. Integration flow map
Shows how different systems and applications connect, focusing on data movement and dependencies.
Who uses it and when: IT, operations, and transformation teams modernizing tech stacks.
Example: An enterprise mapping how CRM, ERP, and client portals exchange data during customer onboarding.
Best practices for process mapping
Good process maps are clear, simple, and actionable. To achieve this, here are 6 best practices to follow.
Define the scope first
It is essential to begin by clearly defining the scope before you start mapping so that boundaries are clear and the diagram does not become overwhelming.
Involve managers and frontline staff
Involving both managers and frontline staff ensures accuracy, because the people closest to the work often see details leadership might miss.
Use consistent symbols and notations
Stick to simple, easy-to-read symbols and notations to ensure the map is universally understood.
Share and refine through feedback
Share the draft widely, gather feedback, and refine the map to secure team buy-in and alignment.
Leverage modern platforms
Once a draft is created, share it widely and refine it through feedback to secure buy-in. Modern platforms like Moxo make this easier by keeping maps tied to live workflows, so teams aren’t just looking at diagrams but executing them in real time.
Focus on value and streamlining
Ultimately, the most effective maps focus on value by eliminating steps that do not yield meaningful outcomes, thereby allowing the workflow to be streamlined and purposeful.
Where process mapping is headed
The future of process mapping is evolving rapidly beyond static diagrams that once sat unused in folders. Businesses are increasingly seeking live, interactive maps that reflect the real-time flow of work.
Process mining tools are making this possible by automatically generating maps from system data, removing guesswork, and capturing the actual flow of activities. At the same time, customer experience has become central to mapping, and remote teams are co-creating processes digitally.
Platforms like Moxo are blending mapping, automation, and AI-driven orchestration, turning maps into secure, collaborative workflows with built-in audit trails and role-based access.
At the same time, customer experience has become central to decision-making, prompting organizations to design processes around the end-user journey rather than internal convenience.
Remote and hybrid teams are also co-creating workflows collaboratively, building shared visibility even across locations. As a result, process maps are no longer static documentation; they are becoming living, digital assets that adapt alongside the business and serve as a foundation for continuous improvement.
Ready to turn your process maps into execution? Get started with Moxo
How Moxo fits
Here’s the challenge with traditional mapping: diagrams often stay static. Teams create them, review them, and then leave them in a folder. The real win comes when maps turn into action.
That’s where platforms like Moxo come in. With Moxo’s Flow Builder, businesses can convert process maps into live, scalable workflows that drive execution.
Key capabilities that bridge mapping and execution:
- Customizable workflow builder: Design workflows that fit your unique processes, whether simple approvals or complex multi-team operations. Drag-and-drop simplicity means anyone can adapt an as-is map into a to-be optimized process. Explore workflows
- Popular third-party integrations: Connect seamlessly with tools your teams already use, from CRMs and ERPs to project management platforms. This ensures mapped workflows never sit in silos. View integrations
- Secure document sharing and management: Collect, share, and track files directly within mapped workflows. Every action is logged with audit trails, role-based access, and SOC 2/GDPR compliance. See document collection
- Real-time visibility: Managers track progress through branded portals and reporting dashboards, ensuring accountability and clarity at every step.
- Seamless collaboration: Clients and partners work alongside teams with built-in messaging, task tracking, and file sharing.
Moxo transforms process maps from static diagrams into secure, dynamic operating systems. Instead of being just a picture of the process, it becomes the process.
Ready to turn your process maps into execution? Get started with Moxo
Process mapping: Clarity for smarter business workflows
Process mapping gives businesses the clarity to work smarter. With 15 approaches, you can tailor the right method to your goals, whether you aim to improve efficiency, enhance customer experience, or build workflows ready for automation.
The real impact comes when maps turn into execution. Platforms like Moxo transform static diagrams into secure, branded workflows with automation, role-based access, and audit-ready history. The result: faster onboarding, fewer bottlenecks, and more time spent on high-value work.
Next step: Start small. Map one key process, share it with your team, and watch how clarity unlocks efficiency.
Ready to turn your process maps into execution? Get started with Moxo
FAQs
What is the difference between a flowchart and a process map?
A flowchart is one type of process map. Process mapping also includes swimlanes, SIPOC, and value stream maps.
How do I pick the right mapping technique?
Match the method to your goal. Use flowcharts for simple steps, journey maps for customer experiences, and value stream maps for efficiency projects.
How often should maps be updated?
At least once a year, or anytime processes change. Platforms like Moxo keep maps tied to live workflows, so updates happen automatically as processes evolve.
Who should take part in mapping?
Both leadership and frontline employees should contribute to the process.
Does mapping improve customer experience?
Yes. Journey maps and service blueprints directly link internal processes to customer satisfaction.
