Process interaction commonly refers to the way individual processes within an organization influence, depend on, and exchange inputs and outputs with one another. In industrial and regulated manufacturing environments, it describes how operational, quality, engineering, supply chain, and support processes connect to form an overall system.
What process interaction includes
Process interaction typically covers:
- Inputs and outputs passed between processes (for example, a sales order feeding production planning, or an in-process inspection feeding rework or release).
- Sequence and flow of activities, such as which process must be completed before another can start.
- Dependencies and constraints, including data, approvals, resources, and systems required for one process to operate.
- Responsibilities and ownership at each interface, such as who reviews, approves, or records information when processes hand off work.
- Information systems links between OT/IT, such as ERP to MES, MES to QMS, or PLM to shop-floor execution.
In a quality management context (such as ISO 9001), organizations are expected to identify their key processes and describe how these processes interact. This can be documented in text, diagrams, flowcharts, or integrated process maps that show how work, information, and decisions move through the business.
Operational meaning in manufacturing
On the shop floor and in supporting functions, process interaction can be seen in:
- Order-to-ship workflows, from quotation, order entry, and planning, through manufacturing, inspection, and shipping.
- Engineering change flows, where design changes in PLM affect routings, work instructions, inspection plans, and ERP/MES data.
- Nonconformance and CAPA processes, which interact with production, supplier management, document control, and training.
- System integrations such as how a routing change in ERP updates MES operations, or how inspection results in MES update QMS records.
Understanding process interaction helps organizations clarify handoffs, avoid gaps or overlaps in responsibility, and provide clear evidence of how the process approach is implemented across the organization.
Common confusion
- Process interaction vs. process flow: A process flow usually focuses on steps within a single process. Process interaction focuses on how multiple distinct processes connect to each other.
- Process interaction vs. system integration: System integration refers to technical connections between software systems or equipment. Process interaction is broader and includes human tasks, responsibilities, physical flows, and information exchanges, whether or not they are automated.
Relation to documented process maps
In quality and compliance audits, organizations often use high-level process maps or interaction diagrams to show process interaction. These visualizations typically highlight core processes (such as sales, design, purchasing, production, and inspection) and illustrate how their inputs, outputs, and controls link together to form the quality management system.