The industrial process

An industrial process can be defined as a set of operations that transforms, with a predetermined objective, the properties of one or more material, type of energy, or information. A typical example of an industrial process might be the production of products and goods through a continuous or discrete manufacturing process, or the production of  electricity, including its transportation and distribution. The industrial process also includes the collection, elaboration, and sharing of information along all production phases and steps. The industrial process is represented in the following diagram:

This transformation from raw materials to a product requires the following:

• Energy
• Machines
• Tools
• Human work

The industrial process is a sequential process. It can be split into a further set of sequential production steps, transforming the raw materials into the desired state along the way, as shown in the following diagram:

Each production process is made up of a sequence of simple operations:

1. Making: Changing the material properties by means of energy
2. Assembly: Combining one or more parts to make a new entity
3. Transport and storage: Moving and storing parts, unfinished products, and products
4. Testing: Checking the product to verify its functionality and capabilities against the design or the requirements
5. Coordination and control: Coordinating and controlling the different operations and steps along the production process