A business process links the functions in a sequence. Each function receives something from the one before, does its part and hands on to the next.
This lesson follows explaining the four business functions in SPM Business functional areas.
One order, four handovers
Here is an original case. A school wants 200 packed lunches from a caterer, Katering Mawar, for a sports day.
- Marketing and sales agree the menu, quantity and date, and confirm the order.
- Finance checks the price covers costs, issues an invoice and arranges a deposit.
- Operations buys ingredients, cooks and packs the meals.
- Human resources makes sure enough trained staff are scheduled for the cooking morning.
Each step depends on the one before. If the order details are vague at step 1, operations cannot plan at step 3.
Where does a delay travel?
Suppose the deposit arrives late. Finance cannot release money for ingredients, so operations buys late, and the meals risk being late on the day.
The cause sits in one function, but the effect lands in another. That is what a process question asks you to trace.
The mistake that costs marks
The common slip is to write one paragraph per function with no links. The answer reads, “Marketing advertises. Finance handles money. Operations cooks.”
A linked answer says, “Marketing confirmed 200 lunches for sports day, which tells finance how much to invoice. Once the deposit arrives, operations can buy ingredients, and human resources can schedule enough cooks.”
| Feature | Separate paragraphs | Linked sequence |
|---|---|---|
| Order of steps | Not shown | In time order |
| Handover | Missing | Named |
| Effect on next function | Missing | Stated |
A quick way to find the handover
Ask two questions at each step. What does this function pass on, and what does the next function need from it?
If you can answer both, you have found the handover. If you cannot, the case probably hides the problem at that point.
Check yourself
In Katering Mawar, the school changes the order from 200 to 260 lunches two days before the event. Name two functions affected and explain one link.
Answer
Operations must buy and cook 60 more lunches, and human resources may need extra cooks scheduled.
A linked sentence: “The bigger order reaches operations late, so it may have to buy ingredients in a hurry, which could raise cost and affect finance.”
What to study next
Next, learn the wording difference in distinguishing roles from activities. Then try the practice set.
For a teacher to go through a process case with you, see online one-to-one Business tuition.