---
title: "Map the process and circle what the customer pays for"
description: "The hands-on way to simplify a process before optimising it."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/the-algorithm/map-the-process-and-circle-what-the-customer-pays-for/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# Map the process and circle what the customer pays for

> The hands-on way to simplify a process before optimising it.

Jon McNeill's framework, from The Algorithm, pp. 17 to 94.

Framework 2 of 7 from [The Algorithm](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/the-algorithm/index.md) by Jon McNeill. Category: Systems and operations.

## The steps

1. **Map it.** Put every step of the current process on a sticky note until the wall is full, missing no detail.
2. **Circle what the customer pays for.** Mark only the steps the customer would pay for, such as the car and not the paperwork.
3. **Eliminate or hide the rest.** Remove every uncircled step, or run it behind the scenes if it cannot go; go to the source of errors to stop them.
4. **Optimise and practise.** Time what remains, break it into sequenced chunks, and repeat it until it is fast.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: Part I: Principles of the Algorithm, pp. 17–94

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/the-algorithm/map-the-process-and-circle-what-the-customer-pays-for.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/the-algorithm/map-the-process-and-circle-what-the-customer-pays-for-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/the-algorithm/map-the-process-and-circle-what-the-customer-pays-for.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/the-algorithm/map-the-process-and-circle-what-the-customer-pays-for-dark.png