Defining Processes and Procedures

Abstract

Procedures for a reproductive laboratory can be defined as the sequence of steps that must be followed to execute a task, such as how to perform a test to determine a certain semen characteristic or how to schedule an appointment with a doctor. It documents the activities to be carried out, usually determining the order that must be followed and therefore standardizing the way tasks are executed and avoiding differences among technicians and employees in general. Processes, on the other hand, are much more complex. They focus on a result that must be achieved and select the procedures to be followed to achieve it. Processes can describe resources and behaviors and, differently from procedures, usually include decisions. For example, the process of diagnosing a patient to be able to prescribe some type of treatment may include the performance of different procedures, such as a semen analysis or a blood test.