In process mapping, what do diamonds represent?

In process mapping, diamonds are used to represent decision points within a process. This is a critical aspect of process flow diagrams, as they indicate places where a choice must be made that will affect the subsequent steps in the process. Typically, a diamond will pose a question or condition that leads to different paths depending on the answer. For example, a decision could be whether a certain quality check has passed or failed, which would determine the next process step and ultimately impact the efficiency and effectiveness of the overall workflow.

Using diamonds to signify decision points helps teams visualize where critical choices occur, allowing for a better understanding of potential bottlenecks or areas for improvement that may affect process performance. Each branch emanating from these diamonds ensures clarity in the choices available, thereby facilitating discussions around process optimization and streamlining operations.