In the context of quality practices, what does 'process mapping' refer to?

Process mapping is a technique used to visualize workflows and the sequence of tasks within a particular process. This tool helps organizations identify areas of improvement by outlining each step involved, who is responsible for it, and how each task contributes to the overall workflow. By creating a visual representation of a process, teams can more easily analyze how work flows through and pinpoint inefficiencies, redundancies, or bottlenecks that may hinder performance. This understanding allows for more informed decision-making when it comes to optimizing processes for better quality and efficiency.

The other options, such as discussing financial issues, reducing employee communication, or eliminating quality standards, do not align with the objectives and functions of process mapping, which are specifically focused on enhancing process visibility and understanding within quality practices.