Concept dictionary
Upstream and Downstream
Upstream refers to the people, systems, or processes that provide inputs to the process being studied.
Downstream refers to the people, systems, or processes that depend on the output.
- Review state
- Reviewed in POC
- Freshness
- Current
- Version
- 2
Also called
- upstream-downstream
Remember it this wayUpstream feeds you; downstream needs you.
In plain language
Upstream is where this process gets what it needs. Downstream is where its output goes next and who depends on it.
Why it matters
Friction may appear inside one process but originate upstream or create impact downstream.
Limited upstream and downstream context keeps the map useful without mapping the whole business.
Example
If customer intake does not capture service location, the scheduling team downstream must call the customer before assigning a technician.
Common misconception
Upstream and downstream are not fixed positions on an organization chart. They are relative to the process being studied, and the same team can be downstream from one process and upstream from another.
Related terms
Not connected yet.
Sources
- ISO 9000:2026, "process"process inputs generally come from other process outputs, and process outputs generally become inputs elsewhere.
- ASQ, "SIPOC+CM Diagram"suppliers, inputs, outputs, and customers around a process boundary.