REQUIRED BY
In business Required by process refers to any essential input, resource, condition, or standard that is absolutely necessary for that process to initiate, execute correctly, or successfully reach its intended outcome.
It defines the dependencies and prerequisites without which the process cannot function as designed, or might even fail.
Here's a breakdown of what can be "required by a process":
Required Inputs (Data Objects):
What it is: Specific pieces of information or data objects that feed into the process's initial steps or individual activities. These are the raw materials of the information flow.
Why it's required: The process needs this information to know what to do, who to act upon, or what values to process.
Required Resources:
What it is: The personnel, tools, technology, or infrastructure necessary to perform the process activities.
Why it's required: These are the agents and means through which the work of the process is performed.
People: Employees with specific roles, skills, and authorizations.
Applications/Systems: Software tools that automate or facilitate process steps.
Equipment/Infrastructure: Physical assets.
Required Predecessor Completion/Conditions:
What it is: A prior activity or even an entire preceding process (a "predecessor process") that must be completed or reach a specific state before the current process or its subsequent steps can begin.
Why it's required: Ensures logical sequence and that necessary precursor work is done.
Required Rules, Policies, and Standards:
What it is: The guidelines, regulations, business rules, or quality standards that dictate how the process must be executed and what its outputs must conform to.
Why it's required: Ensures compliance, quality, consistency, and risk mitigation.
Importance of Understanding "Required by Process":
Process Design and Validation: It's fundamental to designing robust processes. If any requirement is overlooked, the process will break down or produce incorrect results.
Efficiency and Effectiveness: Ensuring all requirements are readily available and properly met is crucial for smooth, efficient execution and for the process to achieve its intended outcome.
Problem Diagnosis: When a process fails or produces errors, the first step in troubleshooting is often to check if all necessary inputs, resources, and conditions were met.
Resource Planning: Helps in accurately planning and allocating the necessary human, technological, and informational resources for a process.
Risk Management: Identifying what a process requires helps in assessing potential risks.
In essence, "required by process" defines the complete set of dependencies that a process relies upon to execute its activities and successfully deliver its products or services. It forms the foundation of process integrity and operational success.