What visual tool is used to identify inefficiencies in a process?

Process mapping is the visual tool that effectively identifies inefficiencies in a process. This technique involves creating a detailed flowchart that outlines each step in a process, highlighting the sequence of activities and the decision points involved. By breaking down the entire process into individual components, stakeholders can easily visualize how tasks are interrelated and where delays might occur.

When using process mapping, organizations can pinpoint areas that require improvement by examining the flow of information and materials, identifying redundancies, or discovering stages where resources are either underutilized or overburdened. The visualization makes it easier to communicate findings and engage team members in discussions about potential improvements or modifications to enhance overall efficiency.

The other options may serve specific analytical functions but do not provide the comprehensive visual overview that process mapping does. Workflow analysis focuses on examining the efficiency and effectiveness of a workflow but may not always provide a clear visual representation of every step. A bottleneck diagram explicitly highlights points of congestion but lacks the granularity to depict the entire process. A process cycle typically refers to the stages of a process rather than the detailed steps that might reveal inefficiencies.