Process Mapping and Analysis
Choose useful process views, from business-facing maps to BPMN and APQC.
Explore this guide : Process Mapping and AnalysisSCP expertise / Tools and techniques
Quality and Continuous Improvement
Select the right improvement technique for the operating problem.
Methods selected around the decision
Our six-stage approach links Define, Understand, Diagnose, Design, Test, prove and embed, and Sustain and improve. Techniques can support more than one stage; the groupings below show a useful starting point.
Total Quality Management provides an organisation-wide view of quality. Lean examines value and flow; Six Sigma brings structured analysis of process performance and variation; Kaizen supports continuing improvement. Just in Time is a flow principle, while Kanban provides replenishment signals within a pull system.
These are established methods, combined here into a proposed SCP approach. The depth of analysis, specialist inputs and delivery scope are agreed around each client engagement.
Evidence before conclusions
- Fishbone and Ishikawa are names for the same cause-and-effect tool. Its branches are hypotheses to investigate.
- Use statistical methods with suitable measurements and assumptions. Correlation alone does not prove a cause.
- Choose JIT, buffers and Kanban rules around replenishment reliability and service risk.
- Agree acceptance criteria early. Record test outcomes and outstanding issues before making a release decision.
- Measure the whole-system effect, including implementation and recurring costs, and review benefits with finance.
Research sources and further reading
Method references are linked in each entry. The application examples, groupings and service connections are SCP proposals, rather than endorsements by the source organisations.
- ASQ: Total Quality Management
- ASQ: DMAIC and process improvement
- Toyota: Toyota Production System
- Lean Enterprise Institute: Kanban
- NIST: statistical methods handbook
- IIBA: acceptance and evaluation criteria
- ISTQB: Acceptance Testing syllabus, 2019
Sources reviewed 17 October 2026. This page introduces methods; it does not claim SCP accreditation or replace a client's specialist quality or assurance requirements.
Techniques in this guide
Open a technique for when to use it, its output and related service links.
DiagnoseStratification and Pareto analysis
Which lanes, products or failure types account for the problem?
What it produces
Prioritised analysis.
Supply-chain example
Split failures by lane, product, site or reason to choose where to investigate first.
Related services
Method reference for Stratification and Pareto analysis (opens in a new tab) ↗UnderstandHistograms and distribution analysis
How variable are lead times or losses?
What it produces
Distribution and tail view.
Supply-chain example
Examine long-tail transit times rather than relying on the average alone.
Related services
Method reference for Histograms and distribution analysis (opens in a new tab) ↗SustainRun charts and statistical control charts
Is performance changing, stable or showing unusual variation?
What it produces
Time-based signals.
Supply-chain example
Monitor delivery or exception-resolution time and investigate unusual signals.
Related services
Method reference for Run charts and statistical control charts (opens in a new tab) ↗DiagnoseFishbone / Ishikawa / cause-and-effect diagram
What possible causes should we investigate?
What it produces
Hypothesis map.
Supply-chain example
Organise possible causes of late orders, then test the important branches.
Related services
Method reference for Fishbone / Ishikawa / cause-and-effect diagram (opens in a new tab) ↗DiagnoseFive Whys
What evidence-supported chain explains an incident?
What it produces
Cause/action record.
Supply-chain example
Follow the evidence behind a recurring shortage rather than stopping at a symptom.
Related services
Method reference for Five Whys (opens in a new tab) ↗DiagnoseScatter plots, correlation and regression
Which factors merit further investigation?
What it produces
Relationship model.
Supply-chain example
Explore associations between delays, workload and shipment characteristics.
Related services
Method reference for Scatter plots, correlation and regression (opens in a new tab) ↗DiagnoseProcess capability analysis
Can a stable process meet a defined specification?
What it produces
Capability assessment.
Supply-chain example
Assess whether a stable operation can meet an agreed timing or quality requirement.
Related services
Method reference for Process capability analysis (opens in a new tab) ↗DiagnoseFMEA / process FMEA
How could the process fail, and where should prevention focus?
What it produces
Risk/action register.
Supply-chain example
Examine potential supplier, process or automation failures and prevention actions.
Related services
Method reference for FMEA / process FMEA (opens in a new tab) ↗DiagnoseA3 problem solving
Can a team explain the problem, reasoning, action and follow-up coherently?
What it produces
Shared improvement record.
Supply-chain example
Keep the problem, evidence, countermeasure and follow-up together in one record.
Related services
Method reference for A3 problem solving (opens in a new tab) ↗Diagnose8D problem solving
How should a recurring supplier or customer issue be contained and resolved?
What it produces
Structured corrective-action record.
Supply-chain example
Coordinate containment and corrective action after a recurring supplier or delivery incident.
Related services
Method reference for 8D problem solving (opens in a new tab) ↗Design5S and visual workplace
Do layout, organisation or unclear locations cause errors?
What it produces
Workplace standards and review.
Supply-chain example
Improve locations, labels and workplace organisation to reduce picking confusion.
Related services
Method reference for 5S and visual workplace (opens in a new tab) ↗DesignTakt time and work balancing
How does workload compare with the required pace?
What it produces
Capacity and workload view.
Supply-chain example
Compare demand pace with picking, packing or replenishment workload.
Related services
Method reference for Takt time and work balancing (opens in a new tab) ↗DesignPull replenishment and Kanban
What should trigger replenishment, and in what quantity?
What it produces
Explicit signal and replenishment rules.
Supply-chain example
Trial a clear replenishment signal with agreed quantities and service safeguards.
Related services
Method reference for Pull replenishment and Kanban (opens in a new tab) ↗DesignHeijunka / production levelling
Can sequencing reduce uneven workload?
What it produces
Feasible levelled schedule.
Supply-chain example
Assess whether a more even production mix can reduce workload peaks.
Related services
Method reference for Heijunka / production levelling (opens in a new tab) ↗DesignSMED / changeover analysis
Which setup tasks can be shortened or performed outside the stoppage?
What it produces
Changeover plan.
Supply-chain example
Separate setup tasks that require a stoppage from those that can be prepared beforehand.
Related services
Method reference for SMED / changeover analysis (opens in a new tab) ↗SustainStandardised work and SOPs
How should teams execute and improve the agreed method?
What it produces
Work standard and training.
Supply-chain example
Document and train an agreed picking or exception-response method.
Related services
Method reference for Standardised work and SOPs (opens in a new tab) ↗DesignPoka-yoke / mistake proofing
Can an error be prevented or immediately detected?
What it produces
Tested prevention control.
Supply-chain example
Test controls that prevent wrong-item selection or make it immediately visible.
Related services
Method reference for Poka-yoke / mistake proofing (opens in a new tab) ↗DesignJidoka and abnormality escalation
When should a process stop or seek an authorised decision?
What it produces
Escalation and response rules.
Supply-chain example
Define when an abnormal event should stop a process or trigger authorised action.
Related services
Method reference for Jidoka and abnormality escalation (opens in a new tab) ↗DiagnoseTotal Productive Maintenance and equipment-loss analysis
Are equipment losses disrupting flow?
What it produces
Loss analysis and maintenance priorities.
Supply-chain example
Analyse equipment losses that disrupt warehouse flow or dispatch.
Related services
Method reference for Total Productive Maintenance and equipment-loss analysis (opens in a new tab) ↗DesignInventory and replenishment modelling
Which policies balance availability and stock across locations?
What it produces
Policy/scenario comparison.
Supply-chain example
Compare stock policies across locations against customer-service requirements.
Related services
Method reference for Inventory and replenishment modelling (opens in a new tab) ↗DesignNetwork and route optimisation
Which locations, flows or routes meet constraints?
What it produces
Modelled options.
Supply-chain example
Compare locations, routes or flows within capacity and service constraints.
Related services
Method reference for Network and route optimisation (opens in a new tab) ↗TestPDCA / PDSA pilot and review
Did the change behave as expected?
What it produces
Documented learning and next decision.
Supply-chain example
Record a prediction, run a bounded trial and review what actually happened.
Related services
Intelligent Supply Chain Control Tower →Inventory and Service Improvement →Sustainability Evidence and Improvement →
Method reference for PDCA / PDSA pilot and review (opens in a new tab) ↗SustainControl plan and ongoing process monitoring
Who checks performance and reacts to deterioration?
What it produces
Measures, owners and response plan.
Supply-chain example
Assign owners, measures and response rules so improvements persist.
Related services
Method reference for Control plan and ongoing process monitoring (opens in a new tab) ↗Discuss the decision you need to improve
Explore how these techniques could support your operation, with the scope and depth agreed around your needs.