Process Verification

Process verification as an element of control relates to two primary concepts – their efficiency and effectiveness. Efficiency is the degree to which the planned activities are performed, and the planned results achieved (ISO 9000:2015, p. 31). The measure of process efficiency is therefore the achievement of defined goals. Hence, if one is to viably verify processes, it is important that every relevant goal is adequately measurable, realistic, and correlated with the entire organization’s objectives. In turn, effectiveness reflects the relationship between the results accomplished and the resources consumed to that end (ISO 9000:2015, p. 31). Hence, effectiveness is a measure associated with the cost of a given result, where cost should be understood as the bulk of all resources and expenditures necessary and utilized to secure the result. Three key conditions must be met for a process to be measurable: defined process measure facilitating the evaluation of efficiency or effectiveness down to the level expected and utilizable by decisionmakers, identified points of reference, i.e. evaluation criteria, against which current measurement results will be compared, obtained and released data characterizing the measured process iteration. In turn, in order for such measurements to be viably usable for the purposes of process verification will require that the same be conducted cyclically to allow observation of trends and patterns as to the efficiency and effectiveness fluctuations in time. This is necessary if one hopes to identify the need for process alteration, correctly diagnose the scope thereof, develop the premise for the planned changes, and evaluate the effects of the same—and do so in a timely manner. The present chapter presents the approaches, methods, and tools utilized to this end in production companies and public administration institutions.