Understanding Current State

About This Material

This material has been developed to help capture information on the activities
and issues associated with a current or new process.

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Process Characteristics Worksheet

A process characteristics worksheet is a worksheet that identifies all of the relevant information associated
with the activities within a business process. The worksheet is typically used in facilitated sessions to
document the inputs, events, supporting technologies, responsibilities, and assumptions associated with the
activities that are part of process design. This template provides an organized approach to capturing all
information relevant to the activities associated with the process.

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Process Characteristics Worksheet

Process (e.g., Compensation):_________________________________

Subprocess (e.g., Merit Increase):_____________________________

Process Characteristics Sample Description

Activity Compensation planning

What is the activity?

Description Working directly with

Describe the activity. division executives to
establish timeframes and
shared accountabilities

Input, Event Trigger Annual compensation

What causes this to cycle
happen?

Forms/Systems Online compensation

What forms and/or planning tool
systems are used to
capture or process the
required data?
Approvals Manager, Department
Who has approval Manager, VP, Director of
responsibilities throughout Compensation
this process?
Party Responsible Compensation function
Who/what is responsible
for accomplishing and/or
supporting it?

Output Calendar of events, lists of

What is the end result? compensation, business
line, core services, and
divisional accountabilities

Enabler Face-to-face planning

How is the activity meetings, involvement of
enabled or achieved? senior HR executives,
consequence
management for
noncompliance

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Process Characteristics Sample Description

Measures of Number of salary and

Effectiveness bonus revisions
What measures are Accuracy of data
appropriate to judge its Customer satisfaction with
value and contribution? process
Assumptions Divisional executives will
What assumptions are we ensure that subordinates
making about how this will participate in process
be accomplished?

Consistency Timeline and approvals

How does this process vary
differ between
organizations?

Opportunities

■ What is most
effective about this
process?

■ What is least
effective about this
process?

■ What are your key

concerns about this
process?