ABSTRACT
The process is the source of an overwhelming number of problems found in business. This chapter discusses the process and introduces ways to overcome these problems. Processes can be simple or complex, consisting of a series of simple processes. The simple process consists of: supplier, input, action, output and customer. Activities in a radiology department are interrelated processes, where the customer of one process is often the supplier of inputs to another process. Subsequent to the simple process, the larger process of producing the exam and a diagnostic report continues. Factors that have an impact on quality include manpower, machines, materials, methods or procedures, environment, and policies. Those factors of variability that occur within the process can be identified as sources for change in the supplier, input, and action portion of the process which may improve the quality characteristics of the output.
