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Process organization » Definition, explanation & examples + practice questions

In the process organization, the dynamic work processes to achieve the company goals are presented, taking into account time, space, required resources and responsible persons, learn more about Pure project organization


This chapter explains what the process organization is and when it plays a role. We also go into the different process-organizational concepts so that you can not only solve our exercises afterwards, but are also well prepared for your next exam, learn more about Organizational structure

Synonyms : process management | workflow management


Why is process organization important?

The organization of work processes within a company serves the smooth running of entrepreneurial business activities and is geared towards the efficiency of the company. This is intended to ensure the company's economic growth and profit optimization.


The following goals in particular are the focus of the process organization :

  • Ensuring adherence to deadlines :In order to ensure delivery times and the availability of the end products on the market, the start, duration and end of the individual work steps can be calculated as part of the process organization. These are important to ensure the delivery and thus the sale of the products.
  • Minimizing production times :One of the objectives of process organization is minimizing throughput times within the company and in the individual departments. This increases efficiency and ensures that the products are quickly available on the market. In addition, it is possible to react quickly to changes in the market.
  • Optimum utilization rate :A well-planned process organization can ensure the utilization of existing machines and personnel as well as the optimal use of the available resources.
  • Standardization of process flows :By standardizing work processes within the framework of process organization, efficient work design can be achieved and errors and idle times can be minimized.
  • Process improvements : As part of the process organization, attention is also paid to the constant improvement of work processes. This further increases the effectiveness of the company and at the same time can contribute to product improvements.
  • Reduction of costs : With theh help of a cost-optimized process organization, waste is reduced, efficiency increased and at the same time paid into the main goal of profit maximization.

Overall, a well thought-out process organization is one of the keys to an efficient and economically successful company .

process organization

When does process organization play a role?

Within the framework of organizational theory, a distinction is made between :


  • process organization

While the basic structure of the company is described in the organizational structure, the process organization deals with the schematic-organizational representation of the dynamic work processes . The elements of the organization, i.e. the actors, required material resources and tasks to be completed are presented in a spatial and temporal context in such a way that they are seamlessly connected to each other.


The focus is on the modeling of individual and interlinked process flows in order to design the individual work steps as efficiently as possible using the available resources. The work to be performed is viewed as a goal-related human action, the sub-steps of which must be provided with the information and material resources necessary for their completion.


The logistical organization of the supply and removal of required materials and preliminary products as well as supporting processes and necessary preliminary work are also taken into account . In addition, the process organization also includes instructions for action in the event of unexpected disruptions to the process flow.


The design of the processes as part of the process organization is affected by internal and external influences that must be taken into account.


internal influences :

  • Design of production ( assembly line production , workshop production, etc.)
  • Design of the internal planning and decision-making system (central or decentralized)
  • Existing corporate culture (dealing with employees, hierarchy, etc.)
  • Design of information management
  • qualification of the employees
  • political framework
  • Legal framework
  • social framework

  • technological framework
  • General market conditions and behavior of other market participants

The focus of process organization is the distribution of tasks within the company and thus the question of the extent to which the distribution of tasks and their fulfillment is regulated. The structure of the tasks and the goals pursued with them are decisive for the degree of regulation.


This regulation can be differentiated according to the following levels :

  • free task progression
  • sequential task flow
  • content related task progression
  • time-bound task progression
  • rhythmically bound task progression
  • flexible task flow

Different process organizational concepts

There are basically three different ways of looking at process organization:

Process organization as organization of work

The basis of this approach to process organization is the differentiation between the structure and process of work within a company. Based on the main task to be completed, this is broken down into subtasks in order to enable the division of work and tasks within the company in the individual departments and positions.


The work is carried out in different work stages, which, as the smallest units, fulfill the task in their entirety. Stages of work that serve the same purpose are combined into work streams, which in turn are combined into larger work cycles that are organized into departments. Then the individual work tasks are distributed to the employers, i.e. the individual positions in a department. Attention must be paid to the necessary coordination processes among the individual employers.


The best-known concept is the analysis-synthesis concept by Erich Koisol. Similar to the task analysis and task synthesis in the organizational structure, the work analysis and synthesis are carried out here. While the work analysis serves to provide an overview of the work tasks to be completed in the individual structural levels, the work synthesis summarizes the individual work parts - based on the knowledge gained through the work analysis - according to their respective criteria.


Process organization as a schedule

The concept of the schedule represents a further development of the concept of the organization of work. Special attention is paid to the distribution of work, the work grouping, the sequence, the performance coordination as well as the start and end conditions and transport .


In the distribution of work, an attempt is made to create the best possible match between the work to be done and the qualifications of the relevant employee. The work grouping serves the best possible spatial and temporal organization of individual work processes.


This includes, for example, the arrangement of the machines required for the work to be performed. In the course of the considered order, the order within a work process as well as the order of different work processes is taken into account. The aim is the best possible coordination of the work steps among each other.


The performance adjustment serves to synchronize individual work carriers with each other. In addition, there is the consideration of the initial and process conditions of the work, which provide the external framework. In order to coordinate individual work carried out at different locations in the best possible way, it is also necessary to minimize transport routes and costs.


Process organization as organization of the process

The concept of process organization within the process organization serves to optimally link work processes across departments.


This can be broken down into three phases :

  • Analysis of the process in advance of the organization
  • Organization of the individual process parts to the appropriate positions
  • interdisciplinary coordination of the sub-processes among the individual positions

The decisive factor here is that the process must always be seen as a whole in order to ensure the highest possible degree of efficiency within the company.


practice questions

#1. What is meant by the term "process organization"?

Process organization is an external organization that specializes in organizing operational processes in companies.

Process organization is the basic hierarchical structure of a company or organization, including the flow of information and instructions and the associated powers.

The process organization represents the dynamic work processes to achieve the company's goals, taking into account time, space, required resources and responsible persons.

#2. Why is good process organization important?

A well-planned process organization ensures efficient processes within a company and is therefore one of the keys to the company's economic success.

The process organization is only a theoretical-schematic representation of the business processes and therefore has no relevance for business practice.

The process organization forms the basis for the responsibilities and the associated daily work processes in the company.

#3. What different concepts of process organization are there?

Work organization, schedule, matrix organization

Work organization, schedule, process organization

Schedule, process organization, divisional organization

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