What does a lane in a swim lane diagram refer to?

In a swim lane diagram, a lane is a horizontal or vertical section that represents specific performers, roles, or departments involved in a process. Each lane serves to delineate responsibilities and clarify who is accountable for particular actions within the overall workflow. This visual organization helps to identify the interactions and dependencies around the sequence of tasks, making it easier to analyze the process.

By representing performers or combinations of performers, lanes help stakeholders understand how different teams or individuals contribute to the process, highlighting collaboration or handoffs between them. This clear distinction in the diagram aids in identifying potential bottlenecks or inefficiencies related to the performers' involvement in various stages of the process.