Tools for Process Modeling 

Flowcharting

Flowcharts come in all styles and shapes.  Some are used for visualizing the overall flow of the process.  Others are used as detailed operational plans.

Flowcharts can be used to map the current process, understand its shortcomings, and orchestrate  improvements.

The flowchart of a weak process can be used to improve it.  "A Great Process" that no one seems to be able to flowchart is merely so much management hype.

Flowcharts can be used to enforce a repetitive process.  They are more versatile than checklists in this regard because they illustrate branchpoints, where critical decisions must be made, more vividly.

Flowcharts can be used to plan and execute change.  They create 'talking points' in discussions about the unfamiliar future.

Checklists

Unfortunately, checklists underplay an important part of all real processes -- there are branchpoints to contend with!

Use checklists to describe series of actions that almost always work, therefore do not need decisions.  Checklists can also nurture those for whom flowcharting seems like too much engineering-speak.

Interviews

Best practice suggests interviewing them in small, cross-functional groups.  Let them describe how the process works in their own words but encourage codifying that description with the active participation of experienced process modelers.  Practiced modelers draw flowcharts, break up complex statements into steps, want to know how decisions are made, insist on action verbs, etc.