Successor 

A successor process refers to a complete and distinct business process that can only be initiated or effectively executed after a preceding business process (its "predecessor process") has successfully completed and delivered its necessary outputs.

It's the "next step" in a larger chain of interconnected processes that contribute to an overarching business objective or customer value delivery.

Here's a breakdown of "successor process" in relation to other business processes:

1. Dependency on Predecessor Completion:

   • The defining characteristic of a successor process is its dependency. It requires the output or a specific state from a preceding process to begin its own operations.

2. Receives Inputs from Predecessor:

   • A successor process typically takes the output data objects, completed tasks, or status changes from its predecessor process as its starting inputs.

3. Part of a Larger Value Chain:

   • Successor processes are vital components of end-to-end value streams that often span multiple departments or functions within an organization. They illustrate how different parts of the business work sequentially to deliver a complete product or service to a customer.

4. Impact on Efficiency and Bottlenecks:

   • The efficiency of a successor process is often directly influenced by the speed and quality of its predecessor. If the predecessor process is slow or produces errors, the successor process will inherit those issues.

   • Identifying clear successor processes is crucial for understanding potential bottlenecks and optimizing the overall flow of value.

5. Facilitating Integration and Handoffs:

   • Mapping successor processes helps in designing seamless handoffs between different teams, systems, and departments involved in the larger business operation. This ensures that information and tasks flow smoothly.

Therefore, a successor process is the next logical and dependent stage in a sequence of business operations. It builds upon the work done by a preceding process, utilizing its outputs to further progress towards a larger organizational goal or customer value delivery. Understanding these relationships is fundamental for designing, analyzing, and optimizing complex business operations.