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Process Information Summary Map (PrISM)

1. Purpose 

The Process Information Summary Map (PrISM) tool:

  • provides a high level overview of the sequence of stages in a process
  • summarises process inputs and outputs
  • records key information [associated with each process stage, input and output]

The PrISM tool is used during an Initial Screening Analysis. It provides a visual means of capturing key information about each stage of a process to help identify where to “chase value”.  

It is of most use with multiple stage processes (it can be more productive to use a Process Definition Diagram  for single stage processes).

Process Information Summary Map Poster
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 2. Information Requirements

Essential information:

Useful information (if relevant to the problem):

What are the key process stages?

 

In what order are these carried out?

 

Where are the main material flows into and out of    

the process?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For process stages:

  • Yield of desired product
  • Overall time taken

For process materials:

  • Properties
  • Specifications
  • Tests
  • Suppliers
  • Variability
  • Quantity - mass, moles or equivalents
  • Monetary value


3. Procedure

 

1.  Draw a box in which to list the key process stages.
2.  Record information about the principal feedstock entering the box. 

3.  Record information on reagents added at each stage to the left. 

4.  Record information on wastes removed from each stage to the right.

5.  Record information about each stage inside the box.

6.  Draw a horizontal line between each stage once all information about each stage is recorded.
7.  Record information about the desired product exiting the bottom of the box.


Repeat steps 3 to 6 for each stage in the process.

When used in conjunction with other Britest Tools, data from PrISM information tables can help determine whether:

  • the material specifications sets are relevant
  • whether in-process quality control checks relate to desired product characteristics (e.g. critical quality attributes)

Page last updated 4th January 2016
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