What are business processes?

Business processes refer to the series of structured activities or tasks that businesses perform on a regular basis to deliver a product or service to customers. These processes are essential for the daily operations of a business, encompassing everything from the acquisition of raw materials to the delivery of finished goods or services. They help in standardizing operations, improving efficiency, and ensuring quality control.

The focus on activities performed in daily operations highlights the systematic nature of business processes, which are often documented and optimized to enhance productivity. This definition captures the core essence of what business processes are intended for, emphasizing their role in the routine functioning of an organization.

In contrast, the other options represent aspects that may influence a business or its strategies but do not define what a business process is. Strategies for reducing production costs or methods for increasing profits reflect broader business strategies rather than the specific, repeatable processes that underpin daily operations. Short-term projects aimed at market expansion describe temporary initiatives that might not reflect ongoing, standard operational activities, further distinguishing those options from the fundamental concept of business processes.