Process mapping is a thorough business process technique that employs symbols and charts to depict a company activity from beginning to end. This method follows each stage of a process and determines what is being done and who is doing it, where and when it is being done, and even why.

Process mapping has become popular in the business world as a way to standardize procedures, increase efficiency, meet audit requirements, and gain a competitive advantage.

Accounting departments, for example, can use process mapping to identify and document how they process payments, while HR departments can use it to determine how they choose applicants.