October 28, 2024

The Difference Between Process And Procedure

Have you ever heard the terms "process" and "procedure" used? People use one for the other as if they mean the same thing. A closer examination reveals distinct differences between these two concepts. You need to understand the differences between process and procedure. It'll help you improve the efficiency of your work.

Defining Process and Procedure

Process: A series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular result. These might involve multiple tasks and individuals. It is a broader term that encompasses various activities contributing to an overarching goal. A high-level sequence of activities that guide the overall workflow.

Procedure: A specific set of steps or instructions designed to perform a particular task within a larger process. Procedures are more focused and detail-oriented. They provide a systematic approach to executing tasks. The detailed steps that individuals follow within those processes.

Think of the first as the map and the second as specific routes on the map.

Industry Examples

1. Manufacturing Industry

Process: The manufacturing process involves designing, producing, and delivering goods.

Procedure: Quality control procedures within the manufacturing process ensure that each product meets specific standards. This includes inspections, testing, and documentation.

2. Healthcare Industry

Process: Patient care involves various stages from admission to discharge.

Procedure: Administering medication to a patient is a specific procedure within the broader healthcare process. It includes dosage calculation, verification, and patient monitoring.

3. Information Technology

Process: Software development encompasses planning, coding, testing, and deployment.

Procedure: Code review procedures are crucial steps within the software development process. They involve systematic examination of code by peers to ensure quality and adherence to standards.

4. Human Resources

Process: Recruitment involves sourcing, screening, interviewing, and onboarding.

Procedure: Interviewing candidates is a specific procedure within the recruitment process. It includes steps like resume review, initial interview, and reference checks.

5. Financial Sector

Process: Investment management involves portfolio creation, analysis, and client communication.

Procedure: Conducting a financial risk assessment is a procedure within the investment management process. Evaluating market trends, assessing potential risks, and proposing mitigation strategies.

6. Education Sector

Process: Curriculum development spans planning, designing, and implementing educational programs.

Procedure: Creating an exam is a procedure within the curriculum development process. Drafting questions, reviewing content relevance, and ensuring fairness.

Maintenance and CMMS

In this section, you'll see how to use process and procedure in relation to a company's maintenance activities. Also, read further to see how a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) helps you with both terms.

As mentioned, consider the process as an overall methodology. Therefore, put managing maintenance at the top. Under that heading, you'll discover sub-categories or sub-processes.

1. Asset Management

You're ensuring assets remain at a baseline functionality. Depending on the industry and company, you might have different procedures for achieving this goal. Tracking equipment readings.

Preventive maintenance is a process itself with procedures. Read further for that. Tracking depreciation values. Analyzing various reports on costs and maintenance procedures.

The specific steps for each of the above vary from company to company. Each of the areas of asset management has steps to follow to complete the task. As you'll see later, a CMMS makes everything easier.

2. Inventory Management

Assets need parts and supplies. As a supervisor, you're overseeing the stockroom organization. You make sure each item has a specific place. You track quantities and reorder when low.

Kitted parts, which contain individual parts "bundled" for efficiency, benefits the technician. Note the critical parts and those you mark "repairable."

You're also tracking classifications of parts. This helps you know which parts move faster than others and benefits purchasing. As part of the procedures in this section, you'll attach certain parts to the asset records. Procedures include assigning parts to a specific aisle>shelf>bin, for example.

3. Preventive Maintenance (PM)

Having a quality PM system reduces unplanned downtime. This type of mindset seeks to identify problems before they become emergencies.

Procedures include:

• Creating a list of PMs for each asset.
• Setting a priority level.
• Noting the frequency of each.
• Attaching related inventory.
• Drawing up checklists and safety protocols to follow.

4. Work Order Management

Once again, we see the umbrella of this category as a series of procedures. Even here, you break this down into evaluating work requests. When creating a work order, the steps include:

• What type of maintenance?
• Priority.
• Location.
• Asset.
• Attaching related inventory.
• Checklists/safety protocols.
• Deadline.
• Assigned labor.
• Scheduling.

A CMMS organizes all of the above categories. The software separates these management areas for easy access and navigation. It'll cross-reference, such as the example of assigning inventory to an asset. The overlap shows in both records.

Significance of Understanding the Difference between Process and Procedures

1. Clarity in Communication

Understanding the distinction enhances communication within an organization. This ensures that everyone involved comprehends their roles and responsibilities.

2. Efficiency

By recognizing the difference, organizations can streamline their workflows. Efficient processes and well-defined procedures lead to smoother operations, minimizing errors and delays.

3. Continuous Improvement:

You regularly analyze reports to improve the overall methodology and the steps within.

Conclusion

The target words may seem synonymous at first glance. Their differences play a pivotal role in the operational efficiency of various industries. You need to navigate and refine methods and steps for sustained success. For a further discussion, read the article from Indeed.

Be sure to research and invest in a quality CMMS to help your operations. Call Mapcon Technologies at 800-922-4336 for a free demonstration. Mapcon makes the maintenance management success process easier with easy-to-follow procedures.