All terms
Glossary
Media break
The point where data changes format or system and a human has to step in.
Typical cases are PDF invoices being retyped, orders by email transferred into a system, or spreadsheets travelling between departments.
Every media break costs time, creates errors and makes the workflow invisible, because it happens between the systems.
How you notice it
- Data is printed out and typed back in.
- A PDF sits between two systems in a chain.
- Excel stands between two business applications.
Frequently asked
Why are media breaks so persistent?
Because they usually bridge a missing interface and close a real gap. Removing the break without filling the gap breaks the process. So ask first what information actually originates there.