What is the purpose of swim lane mapping?

Swim lane mapping serves the primary purpose of visually distinguishing responsibilities and workflows among various individuals, departments, or teams within a process. This method organizes and presents each participant's contributions in a clear and structured format, allowing for easier identification of roles and handoffs. This visualization not only clarifies who is accountable for each task but also facilitates communication and collaboration among those involved.

While other aspects of process measurement, like total time spent on tasks or analyzing patient satisfaction, are certainly important, they do not encapsulate the core function of swim lane mapping as clearly as identifying tasks assigned to specific individuals or departments does. By focusing on the division of responsibilities, swim lane mapping helps organizations streamline operations, reduce redundancies, and enhance overall process efficiency.