Processes have been classified by several authors; one possible classification is provided by Suter (2004), who states that there are four generic groups of processes:

• Value-adding processes, which are processes concerned with the daily business of an organization. Value-adding processes carry out all transformations to acquire, execute and supply a customer order (e.g. production process).
• Value-defining processes, which are processes concerned with e.g. product innovation and research and development (R&D).
• Management processes, which are processes concerned with e.g. strategy and direction setting and business planning
• Support processes, which are processes supporting value-adding, value-defining and management processes, e.g. financial, personnel or facility management

Only value-adding and value-defining processes are considered as business processes.