Why Process Mapping Matters (and Why You Should Care)

By: Karel Kammermeyer, Collabry Consultant and Process Mapping Enthusiast

Let’s be real—most people don’t get excited about process mapping. It doesn’t get much fanfare, and few people volunteer to lead a mapping session. But if you’ve ever dealt with unclear roles, repetitive tasks, or clunky handoffs, you know how valuable it can be. In any industry where precision and coordination matter, process mapping is one of the most useful tools we have.

It makes perfect sense that I found my way into this kind of work. I’ve always been a process-oriented person. Nothing annoys me more than a recipe that calls for a “pinch” or a “dash” of something. What does that even mean? I want clear measurements, step-by-step instructions, and no guesswork. I’m naturally drawn to structure and love finding patterns, simplifying complexity, and bringing order to chaos. For me, process mapping isn’t just a helpful tool. It’s a way to help teams work better together, with fewer surprises and a lot less “Wait, who’s supposed to do that?”

Whether you're launching a new platform, tightening controls, streamlining reporting, or just figuring out where things slow down, mapping your processes brings clarity, accountability, and structure to work that’s too important to leave to chance.

“If you’ve ever dealt with unclear roles, repetitive tasks, or clunky handoffs, you know how valuable process mapping can be.”

— Karel Kammermeyer

A simple process map for getting out of bed.

So, What Is Process Mapping?

In simple terms, it’s a visual way to show how work flows through your organization. It outlines who does what, when it happens, what decisions get made, and where handoffs occur. It helps you understand not just what should happen but what actually happens—which, more often than not, is a very different story.

Why It’s Worth the Time

Here’s why process mapping is more than just boxes and arrows on a whiteboard:

1. It Gets Everyone on the Same Page
   Ever sit in a meeting where everyone has a slightly different idea of how something works? Mapping the process forces those conversations to happen and helps uncover gaps or overlap you didn’t know existed.

2. It Clears Up Who’s Responsible for What
   One of the biggest frustrations in any organization is not knowing who owns a task. Process mapping helps define roles, clarify accountability, and avoid the dreaded “I thought they were doing it.”

3. It’s a Game-Changer During Transitions
   Rolling out a new tool? Updating your operating model? Process maps help you document where you’re starting from, where you want to go, and what needs to change to get there.

4. It Helps You Spot What’s Not Working
   Redundant steps, unclear decisions, and manual workarounds become much easier to fix when you can see the full picture.

5. It Sets You Up for Automation or Tech Upgrades
   Trying to automate a workflow or implement new software without mapping your current processes is like remodeling your kitchen without knowing where the plumbing is. A good process map lays the foundation for smarter decisions.

6. It Builds a Culture of Continuous Improvement
   When mapping becomes a habit rather than a one-time project, it encourages a rhythm of asking, “How can we make this better?” That mindset adds up to greater efficiency and ease over time.

“Process mapping isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating clarity, reducing friction, and making work feel a little less chaotic.”

— Karel Kammermeyer

How to Make Process Mapping Work for You

Here are a few practical tips:

• Bring the right people to the table. The folks doing the work often know the process better than anyone.

• Keep it collaborative. Workshops are a great way to capture different perspectives and build buy-in.

• Don’t overcomplicate it. You don’t need perfect tools or fancy software to get started. Just start sketching.

• Make it part of your toolkit. Tie it into project planning, tech implementations, or team onboarding—wherever it adds value.

Bottom Line

Process mapping isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating clarity, reducing friction, and making work feel a little less chaotic. Whether you’re smoothing out a clunky workflow, preparing for a system rollout, or just tired of people asking, “Who owns this,” mapping things out gives you a clear, shared starting point.

And hey, if it helps us avoid the workplace version of a recipe that calls for “a pinch of this” or “a dash of that,” I’d say it’s time well spent.