Process planning is central to ISO 9001:2008. It is a general requirement (4.1).

Process planning requires the organisation to:

1. Identify the processes
2. Decide the order in which they are carried out
3. Document any interaction between different processes
4. Ensure that appropriate resources are provided
5. Establish appropriate methods needed to operate and control them.
Most organisations include a flow chart (process map) to show the sequence and interaction of
work (4.1b). To do this, walk a job through from start to finish and draw a process map of the
core processes.
A typical process may look like this:
Enquiry and Quotation Order Receipt Design Sample approval Specification Purchasing
Goods Receipt Goods-In Stores Manufacture Test Goods-out Stores Despatch
Around these core processes, there will be various support processes e.g. training, maintenance,
calibration, internal audit, etc.
These support processes enable the core processes to function.

Is a production process different from a business process?

No. Production processes (or as ISO 9001:2008 calls it, "product realization processes") are just
a subset of your normal business processes.
Think of "production" as "creation". If your organisation designs training courses or provides
cleaning services, your production processes are how you develop a course or how you plan and
deliver your service all just part of "running the business".

What is the best way to define a business process?

There is more to a process than just the tasks and decisions which define the flow of information
or material. You also need to define the materials, hardware and skills required and the
environmental influences (e.g. light, hygiene, humidity) which could affect the operation of the
process.

What is the "correct" level of detail to use when defining a business process?

As little as you need in order to demonstrate consistency and control. Be clear about why are you
doing it and who will use the resultant definitions. But do it for yourself and your staff a QMS
is not solely for your external auditor.
Two pages of a flowchart should be sufficient for a process. Assume your people are competent
or train them if they're not.

4.1 General Requirements

Your organisations quality management system is that part of your overall management system
which establishes, documents and implements your quality policy, and related processes for
providing products and services which meet or exceed customer requirements, and which
satisfies quality management system requirements of ISO 9001:2008.
Your organisation should adopt the process approach advocated by ISO 9000:2005, by defining
and managing:

Process inputs, controls, and outputs to ensure desired results are achieved, and

Interfaces between interrelated processes to ensure system effectiveness is achieved

If your organisation outsources processes, you must be able to demonstrate sufficient control
over each outsourced process. This is to ensure that those processes are performed according to
the relevant requirements of ISO 9001:2008.
Outsourced processes may be controlled in any number of ways; either by providing suppliers or
subcontractors with product specifications or by requesting inspection and test results or
certificates of compliance or by conducting product and quality management system audits of
your supplier/subcontractor.
The expectation here is that your quality management system flows down to your
supplier/subcontractor, the relevant ISO 9001 requirements that you would have to implement
had the process been performed in-house under your quality management system control.

Need help with process planning?

Process planning is documented and explained in our Quality Manual Template and guidance
document.
>> View Quality Manual Template sample
>> View guidance document sample