What is the difference between a system and a process?

Processes

When we look at something and see a sequence of activities producing outputs we are observing a process.

A process produces results through work being done in the process.
Processes produce outputs
Process owners manage process outputs

Systems

When we look at something and see the buildings, the people, the relationships, the activities and the interactions we are observing a system.
A system produces results through the interaction of elements
Systems create outcomes
System managers manage outcomes

There are therefore two quite different types of management.

There is process management which will manage the achievement of results by planning, organizing, controlling and continually improving the work required to produce them.
There is system management which will manage a system of interacting elements that function together to achieve an objective.

The boundary between process and system is where the output fulfils a system objective. E.g If we treat the series of steps in frying an egg as a process, we will find that frying the egg is one stage of a meal preparation process. The meal preparation process is one stage in the service delivery process. Any of these processes can interact with the outputs from a process that manages the resources used in meal preparation process. Cut off the supply of electricity and the cook can’t fry the egg. We therefore ascend through a hierarchy of processes to a system of processes which together with other elements deliver an experience that will delight the customer – the objective of frying the egg, preparing the meal and delivering the service.

Transition Support

A flexible approach to business improvement