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The usual intro to REA focuses on the Exchange pattern:
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![REA exchange pattern](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7f/ReaExample.png)
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But there is another REA pattern, which [ValueFlows calls Process](https://valueflo.ws/introduction/processes.html)
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and which might be called Conversion or Transformation in other REA references.
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Processes create new Resources. They take input Resources and transform them into output Resources. They are often collaborations between different Agents.
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For example, here is a Process to create a 3D printed part:
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![process pattern](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/117439/66481117-cfc68080-ea65-11e9-9a0f-d36052e5395c.png)
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This was a real Sensorica process. The cartoon follows some of the inputs to the process back to where they came from. For example, the 3D Printer was purchased via donations from 15 community members, as you can see in [the "Where From" information on its Resource page](http://nrp.sensorica.co/accounting/resource/411/).
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The general pattern for a Process is simple:
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* Resource->InputEvent->Process->OutputEvent->Resource
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where each Event has a providing Agent and a receiving Agent.
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Each Event has an Action, which might be:
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* Use: the Resource is used by the Process, but after the Process, it is ready for its next Use. The Resource might be affected by the Process, but still exists. The Resource might suffer some wear and tear, or in the case of an agricultural field, might be degraded or even improved in the Process (such as adding some compost).
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* Consume: the Resource goes into the Process and is gone from its previous existence.
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* Cite: the Resource was used by the Process as a design or idea but the Resource itself is not affected, except that it becomes more valuable the more it is cited.
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* Work: the deployment of human labor power, which may have some additional properties such as skill or experience.
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In the cartoon,
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* the 3D Printer was used
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* the polymer was consumed
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* the design was cited
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* but the work that created the design required some special skills
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* the work of operating the 3D Printer required some training and experience.
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