A Business Process Management Implementation: What Now?

Business Process Management (BPM) has many advantages. But what is it exactly, and how do you implement it. Many people asked me this question recently, so let me present you some thoughts on this subject.

BPM is the methodology that deals with adapting and optimizing business processes. In this world things change continuously, so you have to continuously adapt your business processes. You can let the operation find their own new ways. Or you can help them by designing the change, also incorporating tactical and sometimes even strategic modifications.

BPM can be applied to all kinds of business. It is a very good choice for 'old' processes that would benefit from renewal or innovation. You will find them for instance in health care, government, banking, and insurance. Benefits of BPM are extension of the life cycle of business applications, quality improvements, lowering costs, profit improvement, and satisfaction improvement of customers and employees.

To implement BPM we need a method, tools, and we need to provide guidance to personnel.

A very good method to structure the 'what' of BPM is Business Event Analysis (BEA). In BEA we have an event, and we expect a result. An example is a person calling a help desk, or making an appointment. The event does not have to be triggered by a person, it could also be time. When it becomes the 1st of a month that could be the moment to produce the monthly report.

There are many good tools on the market. Requirements are data extraction, integration, delivery and work flow. I have particularly good experiences with MyInformationVault and ChangePoint.

Guidance of personnel is also an important point. Aspects are providing training, helping with the launching project (pathfinder), and implementing change management.

This is what works for me! I am sure you have your own experiences. Let us know, and let us discuss. How do you approach the subject of BPM? From your experience are there techniques that have worked particularly well for you? It would be great to share your insights and lessons. Thank you.