Process Classification Framework (PCF)

Words can get in the way of improvement. Within a single organization, five business units could have five different interpretations of the invoicing process, five different definitions for "inventory management," and five different ways to calculate product development cycle time. How can you improve and collaborate if you aren't speaking the same language?

In 1992, a group of business leaders and process management experts created APQC's Process Classification Framework^SM (PCF) to eliminate this lexical problem. The PCF outlines all of the processes practiced by most organizations, categorizes them, and aligns them according to a hierarchical numbering system.

To further support process definition, benchmarking, and content management activities, APQC provides definitions and key performance indicators for many of the process elements in the PCF.

Organizations use APQC's Process Classification Framework to:

• organize improvement efforts,
• define the processes that need to be improved,
• benchmark internally and with other organizations,
• align IT roll-outs and updates for similar processes across the organization,
• discuss organizational performance using the same terminology across business units and departments,
• better understand how their business works, and
• organize enterprise content and knowledge.

A standard taxonomy like the PCF gives everyone in an organization the same words to use to benchmark, collaborate, and improve.

Videos to help you better understand the PCF and how to start using it

APQC's John G Tesmer, Senior Program Manager of Open Standards Benchmarking, walks you through what the PCF is, how understand it, and three main reasons companies use it.