Processes and Procedures

People are often unsure about the difference between processes and procedures.   Here is a brief explanation and an example of each:

Procedure - A procedure specifies the way to perform an activity (THE HOW), e.g. Internal Audit procedure.  Procedures are for internal use, and are not of specific interest to the external customer who will be interested in the final product and not how it is achieved.

Procedural Approach - The procedural approach concentrates on the internal activities within a given department.  Process owners are asked to write down what they do, (the procedure), they are then required to adhere to the procedure and ultimately will be audited against the procedure.  The procedural approach is sometimes referred to as the 'Silo Approach' as its focus is usually limited to a department's activities and its own end product.  A department's procedures reflect just one part, or one stage of the overall processes required to produce the final product  for the external customer

Process - A process is a system of activities which uses resources to transform INPUTS into OUTPUTS (THE WHAT), e.g. D & M Operational Procedures.

Process Approach - The process approach is a sequential chain of value added processes from the initial Bid to the End Product or Service.  This approach requires a thorough understanding of the flow of activities and the information required throughout, and frequently involves customer participation.  The focus of the approach is to satisfy customer's requirements, whilst ensuring that the organisations own goals are achieved.