Use of standard formatted electronic maps for design, manufacturing and regulatory compliance

A visual electronic map for a process, the electronic map being displayable on a display device and comprising:

• standard task symbols positioned in standard locations of pages of the map;
• standard input symbols positioned in standard input locations of the pages of the map;
• standard output symbols positioned in standard output locations of the pages of the map;
• connectors between symbols, the connectors, the standard locations, the standard input locations and the standard output locations chosen to show process flow;
• and
• data links between respective symbols and respective data files stored on a storage device, each respective data file storing information related to a respective symbol associated with the respective data file, the data links including training links to training material stored in a data file and accessible by actuating one or more of the training links.

An electronic mapping method comprising:

• identifying a process to be completed;
• identifying tasks to be performed for completion of the process;
• identifying required input items and output items of the process;
• in an electronic map, positioning task symbols in a standard task area of pages of the electronic map, each task symbol corresponding to a task to be performed and each task symbol being positioned below a previous task symbol on the same page to clarify process flow;
• associating remotely stored data with at least some of the task symbols, including linking online training materials for a task with a task symbol;
• and
• in the electronic map, positioning input symbols to one side of the standard task area and positioning output symbols to another side of the standard task area to clarify process flow in the electronic map.

A regulatory compliance method for a business process, the method comprising:

• activating a visual electronic map on a display device;
• training a user using training information electronically linked to the electronic map;
• performing steps of the business process in conjunction with defined tasks and task ordering of the electronic map;
• when required, electronically accessing additional information by linking to the additional information from the electronic map;
• and
• upon completion of the business process, producing a regulatory record of compliance with regulations.