Process management refers to the systematic planning, implementation, control and improvement of processes. A process is a sequence of activities that are completed in terms of content and logically build on each other and interact with each other. Processes are geared towards the needs of the addressees and are viewed from their perspective. Those involved in the process continue to develop the processes with the aim of producing valuable results and satisfactory services.

In view of increased internal and external requirements, it is becoming increasingly important that processes are documented in a comprehensible and binding manner. For example, the Court of Audit regularly asks for process descriptions. When (re-)accrediting degree programmes or applying for third-party funding projects, existing and planned processes must be presented in a comprehensible and standardized manner. Management levels must be able to report on the processes for which they are responsible and which are to be controlled within the shortest possible time. In addition, employees must be able to rely on established routines, clear responsibilities and secure, transparently available organizational knowledge in the face of diverse and varying tasks or environments. The digitalization of administrative processes can also only succeed on the basis of systematic, professional process documentation. Against this backdrop, process management at ASH Berlin is a fundamental component of quality management and organizational development.

Process management

• promotes transparency, structure and order;
• ensures process knowledge for all ASH Berlin employees;
• facilitates the induction of new employees;
• makes competencies and responsibilities, requirements and procedures visible;
• promotes the reliable design of processes;
• reduces the amount of searching and consulting required for recurring processes;
• facilitates compliance with internal and external requirements;
• helps to avoid duplication of work and minimize errors and risks;
• bundles collaboration and feedback for process optimization;
• promotes a cross-departmental understanding of processes;
• strengthens the trust of university members, cooperation partners and the public in the functioning of processes.

ASH Berlin's process management objectives are embedded in the development of a process-oriented quality management system. They are geared towards

• that processes are reliably and efficiently documented, designed and further developed in the pursuit of high-quality results;

• that processes are increasingly digitized to make work easier;

• all university members have an improved awareness of work-sharing processes and interfaces and

• process orientation is an essential basis for strategic and operational decisions as well as organizational development.

University members can find more information on the objectives and the sub-projects and measures through which they are implemented in the "Process and Quality Management at ASH Berlin" Moodle course.

The following quality objectives serve as guidelines for the PQM department's work and cooperation within ASH Berlin:

• Promoting a lively process culture: we create a culture that supports cross-departmental collaboration and promotes the mutual exchange of ideas and best practices on procedures and process results.

• Transparency and responsibility: We promote transparency and responsibility by documenting all processes in an accessible manner and clearly defining responsibilities. This strengthens the trust and commitment of everyone involved.

• Easy-to-understand process descriptions: We ensure that processes are documented or modeled in a simple and easy-to-understand form so that everyone involved can quickly grasp and understand the processes.

• Concentration on relevant processes: We focus on the processes that support the university's most important services, recur frequently, tie up numerous resources or affect many university members.

• Inclusive and sustainable process development: We ensure that process descriptions are written in a gender-sensitive way and design processes and their documentation in such a way that they are accessible to as many people as possible, taking into account available resources and tools. When designing, reviewing and adapting processes, we integrate ecological, social and economic aspects in order to actively promote the sustainable development of the university.

• Combining standards and diversity: We apply uniformly proven principles from process management when documenting, controlling and developing processes. At the same time, we always take into account department-specific characteristics and the diverse needs of stakeholders.

• Continuous joint process improvement: We strive to systematically and regularly review our processes and develop them further in order to simplify workflows and optimize process results. All process participants are actively involved in the further development of processes in order to utilize diverse perspectives and experiences and to promote acceptance of changes.

• Increased efficiency of processes: We improve our workflows in such a way that we conserve resources and all those involved in the process experience a reduction in workload.

• Technological integration: We use digitalization options to work together efficiently on a process-related basis and to optimally display, control and automate processes.