Process Mapping for Electronic Resources: A Lesson from Business Models

Abstract

The number of electronic resources is continually growing and the processes associated with managing them are ever more complex. Consequently, completely new ways of managing these resources efficiently and effectively must be invented or borrowed from industries that also must manage complex processes. This chapter describes how a method generally employed in business and industry can be applied in managing electronic resource-related processes in libraries. Specifically, a technique called process mapping and its potential application to electronic resource management in libraries is described. Existing electronic resource management guidelines are conceptually linked to actual management situations. A case study is presented which is intended to illustrate the process.