"a set of related tasks that is triggered by an event and which is intended to achieve an objective. It uses resources and is subject to influences".

The trigger event can be an action ("a customer gives you an order") or a decision ("we'll carry out a management review next week"). Whatever it is, you are working towards achieving something as soon as the trigger event has started the process.

The objective will typically include the production of an output (a "product" or "deliverable" - something which is produced - which may well be related to the trigger event) but you may also need to allow for other outcomes or consequences (planned and unplanned)

An output is "put out", whereas an outcome "comes out", not necessarily where (or when) you expect it to appear.

So the Inputs to a process are:

(a) the Trigger that initiates it;
(b) the Resources it requires - whether they are consumed, "transformed" or remain intact (the key point is that they must be available for the process to function); and
(c) the Influences that affect and shape how it works - some of which you cannot control (such as legislation), others which you may choose to apply (such as your policy on staff development) and others which you should consider (such as the risk of the process not working as planned and the need to measure how efficient the process is).

The Objective(s) will typically include the production of an "Output" (which may well be related to the trigger event), but may include the creation of other "outcomes" as well. The need to achieve the objective is itself a key influence on the process.

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