glossary

business processes

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Definition

Business processes are a series of related, structured activities or tasks performed by people or equipment in a specific sequence to produce a service or product for a particular customer or customers. These processes define how an organization operates, from initial customer contact to final delivery and support. In practice, they provide a roadmap for executing tasks efficiently and consistently, ensuring predictable outcomes. Understanding business processes is crucial for identifying inefficiencies, improving workflows, and aligning operations with strategic goals. For instance, a customer onboarding process might involve sales, legal, and technical support teams working in a defined order. This differs from a single task, which is just one step within a larger process. Knowledge of business processes is relevant for certifications like PMP and CAPM.

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