The Essential Guide to Business Process Management (BPM) in 2024
Business process management (BPM) has become an indispensable practice for companies seeking to optimize operations, reduce costs, enhance customer experience and promote business growth through process improvement. This BPM guide covers everything from understanding BPM concepts to identifying the types of BPM solutions, implementation methodologies, critical success factors, latest trends and best practices to follow in 2024.
With the right BPM software, governance model and organizational change management - enterprises can transform fragmented workflows into efficient automated business processes aligned to strategic goals. Read on to determine if your organization needs BPM, and if so, how to approach BPM initiatives.
Defining Business Process Management
Business process management encompasses various methods and tools to discover, document, analyze, improve, optimize and manage end-to-end business processes. BPM relies on process modeling methodologies to depict workflows, interactions and decision logic across people, systems and apps.
The focus of BPM is enhancing how work gets executed horizontally across departments, systems and companies to deliver business value and positive outcomes in alignment with organizational objectives. It applies process thinking to connect discrete tasks into integrated processes.
Some key concepts in BPM include:
Business Process: A series of structured business activities with specific flow, triggers and dependencies to accomplish a defined business outcome.
Process Owner: An executive accountable for process KPIs related to cost, quality, cycle time and compliance
Process Analysis: Assessing, baselining and diagnosing process constraints to identify waste and performance improvement opportunities
Process Automation: Use of technology to execute repetitive process tasks reducing human effort and errors
Process Simulation: Modeling process flows under different scenarios to validate designs before implementation
Process Analytics: Monitoring process dashboards showing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to enable data-driven process insights
Continuous Process Improvement: Ongoing effort using BPM lifecycle to incrementally enhance process efficiency and quality
Process Transformation: Fundamental redesign of processes to significantly improve KPIs and align to business strategies
Drivers for Business Process Management
What factors are motivating enterprises to invest in BPM now? Some of the leading drivers include:
Increasing Agility – The need to rapidly operationalize changing business models, innovations and customer requirements
Cost Optimization – Continued executive mandate to reduce waste, streamline operations and control expenses
Globalization – Coordinating business processes across borders, cultures and disparate systems
Regulations – Requirements for rigorous control, audit trails and reporting on organizational practices
Digital Transformation – Disconnect between legacy processes and new technologies like AI/ML, RPA and cloud platforms
Customer Experience – Aligning processes from the outside-in to enable seamless omni-channel customer journeys
Post-Pandemic Recovery – Reimagining processes to enhance resilience, remote collaboration and automation
The Integrated BPM Lifecycle
BPM should be seen as a continuous improvement approach, not a one-time project. An integrated, closed-loop BPM methodology enables sustainable process optimization. Below are key phases of the BPM lifecycle:
Process Identification
Leverage stakeholder input and process mining algorithms to identify processes for improvement across systems, departments and operations
Process Discovery
Map current state processes end-to-end, document underlying rules, roles and existing automation
Process Analysis
Profile process performance baselines related to KPIs - cost, cycle time, quality, compliance
Process Simulation
Model and test “To-be” process flows addressing pain points using “what-if” scenario modelling
Process Redesign
Define optimized processes incorporating industry best practices and innovative use of enabling technologies
Process Implementation
Execute deployment plan applying change management - user training, system integration, testing and adjustments
Process Monitoring
Instrument processes for detailed visibility publishing operational analytics to business users
Process Diagnosis
Perform root cause analysis on issues using process analytics combined with data visualization
Process Improvement
Continually refine processes based on insights uncovered via monitoring, data analysis and diagnosis
Process Repeat
Use lessons learned from previous iteration to identify new improvement opportunities driving enduring continuity
Business Process Management Solutions
BPM is supported by a range of automation technologies and tools:
Business Process Management Suites
Integrated platforms to model, simulate, execute, monitor and optimize end-to-end processes. Enable continuous process improvement across the BPM lifecycle phases.
Business Process Modeling Tools
Design, map and document business processes using flowchart techniques like BPMN to visualize process steps, decisions and stakeholders
Workflow Management Tools
Route work tasks and documents to users according to predefined process flows and rules enabling consistency
Business Activity Monitoring (BAM)
Capture event streams from multiple data sources in real-time to enable monitoring of business performance
Business Process Analytics
Tools to analyze, identify patterns and visualize process data to provide transparency and actionable insights
Process Mining
Discover actual processes by extracting event logs from IT systems to compare against defined process models
Business Decision Automation
Manage complex business rules and decision logic models to optimize outcomes and compliance
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Automate repetitive, rules-based tasks via software robots interpreting user interfaces just like humans
Who Needs Business Process Management?
Nearly all industries can benefit from BPM but top vertical adopters today include:
Banking
Optimizing processes for lending operations, customer onboarding/KYC, fraud analysis and wealth management
Insurance
Improving underwriting, claims and policy administration while ensuring compliance
Healthcare
Clinical and operational process enhancement – patient intake, diagnostics, billing and reimbursements
Telecom
Managing order-to-activation flows, field workforce scheduling, asset maintenance and fault management
Logistics
Load planning, inventory allocation, distribution operations, shipment tracking and ETA accuracy
Public Sector
Constituent-centric processes for benefits claims, assistance programs, licenses and policy guidance
Manufacturing
Quality assurance procedures, shop floor scheduling, inventory control and product development workflows
Critical Capabilities for BPM Success
While software alone cannot guarantee positive outcomes - these organizational capabilities drive and sustain effective BPM adoption:
Executive Sponsorship
Ongoing C-level oversight, prioritization and funding to instill process-centric culture
BPM Competency Center
Centralized team of process experts providing governance, best practices, tools, templates and training
Enterprise Process Architecture
Common taxonomy, standards and methodology governing process models, automation approaches and data
Master Data Management (MDM)
Consistent, complete and trustworthy master data asset supporting process analysis and decisions
Organizational Alignment
Proactive change management across people, process and technology promoting process literacy at all levels
IT/Business Collaboration
Strong partnership between IT and business teams in process design phases
BPM Methodology Best Practices
Follow these proven steps for implementing BPM initiatives successfully:
Understand Strategic Drivers
Document business objectives, KPIs and current vs. desired future state processes
Define Governance Model
Create BPM oversight team, competency center, change network, executive steering committee
Conduct As-Is Process Discovery
Leverage process mining to analyze actual processes, pain points and improvement needs
Develop Future State Process Architecture
Map process flows at the enterprise level showing connectivity between departmental processes
Prioritize Process Redesign Efforts
Focus initial BPM projects on urgent, high impact processes demonstrating quick ROI
Manage Organizational Change
Drive process culture via awareness, training, incentives and continuous communication
Scale BPM Program
Once successful, replicate process methods across other areas ensuring consistency and coordination
Advance Technical Capabilities
Evolve tools to support increasing process complexity as competencies and maturity progresses
Business Process Management Key Trends
Some noteworthy BPM developments to expect in 2024 include:
Intelligent Business Process Management (iBPM)
Infusing automation with AI, RPA and analytics for smarter exception handling, forecasting and optimization
Process Mining Proliferation
Discovering actual processes via data mining algorithms to enable fact-based analysis and continual auditing
Business Process as a Service (BPaaS)
Consuming prebuilt industry process apps from the cloud allowing faster time to value
Workflow Apps Expansion
Citizen developers drag-and-drop configuring workflow apps with minimal coding
Embedded Process Insights
Analytics and monitoring instrumentation natively embedded in processes via digital dashboards
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Focus
Applying BPM to enhance traceability, compliance and reporting for sustainability initiatives
Natural Language Interfaces
Voice commands and conversational agents to query process performance and guide users through workflows
Predictive Business Processes
Simulation and machine learning anticipate scenarios for dynamic adjustments of processes before issues arise
Blockchain Integration
Leveraging blockchain to enable trustworthy process audit trails, transparency and data lineage
BPM Human+Bots Collaboration
RPA bots and AI assistants augmenting human tasks in process workflows for straight through processing
When to Adopt Business Process Management
Indicators that your organization can strongly benefit from BPM:
Inconsistent Process Execution
Wide variance in outcomes, cycle times and quality depending on factors like employee skills, locations or workload
Limited Visibility
Lack of clarity into end-to-end processes and hand-offs spanning systems, apps and organizations
Changing Business Conditions
Difficulty adapting processes, resources and customer journeys to market disruptions and new innovations
Unsatisfactory Customer Experiences
Complaints regarding slow request resolution, convoluted application processes or billing errors
Non Compliance Risks
Inability to adhere to regulations and changing compliance rules leading to penalties or litigation
Unstructured Processes
Overreliance on heroics, tribal knowledge and manual interventions to progress processes
Mergers & Acquisitions
Disjointed processes from lack of standards between merged companies or acquired business units
Cost Overruns
Budget overages tied to inefficient processes with redundant efforts across people and systems
Strategic Misalignment
Functional strategies and operations disconnected from broader corporate objectives
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
In summary, leading enterprises are embracing Business Process Management to transform operational excellence in alignment with customer expectations and strategic goals.
Key highlights for organizations investigating BPM include:
Adopt Continuous Improvement Mindset – Follow structured BPM lifecycle methodology vs. one-off optimizations
Take Outside-In Approach – Map external “white space” customer journeys before internal workflows
Identify Quick Wins – Prioritize high impact processes for greatest ROI benefitcases
Enhance Analytics Investment – Collect data across processes for fact-based insights and diagnostics
Prepare Culture – Drive executive commitment, process literacy training and change management
Leverage Cloud Economics – Consider BPaaS solutions for faster time-to-value over on-premise software
Build BPM CoE – Establish BPM Center of Excellence for guidance, governance, standards and best practices
Evolve Along The Maturity Curve – Grow BPM scope as organizational capabilities and competencies mature
Reach out to explore how to launch your BPM program for transformational outcomes.
The Essential Guide to Business Process Management (BPM) in 2024
Business process management (BPM) has become an indispensable practice for companies seeking to optimize operations, reduce costs, enhance customer experience and promote business growth through process improvement. This BPM guide covers everything from understanding BPM concepts to identifying the types of BPM solutions, implementation methodologies, critical success factors, latest trends and best practices to follow in 2024.
With the right BPM software, governance model and organizational change management - enterprises can transform fragmented workflows into efficient automated business processes aligned to strategic goals. Read on to determine if your organization needs BPM, and if so, how to approach BPM initiatives.
Defining Business Process Management
Business process management encompasses various methods and tools to discover, document, analyze, improve, optimize and manage end-to-end business processes. BPM relies on process modeling methodologies to depict workflows, interactions and decision logic across people, systems and apps.
The focus of BPM is enhancing how work gets executed horizontally across departments, systems and companies to deliver business value and positive outcomes in alignment with organizational objectives. It applies process thinking to connect discrete tasks into integrated processes.
Some key concepts in BPM include:
Business Process: A series of structured business activities with specific flow, triggers and dependencies to accomplish a defined business outcome.
Process Owner: An executive accountable for process KPIs related to cost, quality, cycle time and compliance
Process Analysis: Assessing, baselining and diagnosing process constraints to identify waste and performance improvement opportunities
Process Automation: Use of technology to execute repetitive process tasks reducing human effort and errors
Process Simulation: Modeling process flows under different scenarios to validate designs before implementation
Process Analytics: Monitoring process dashboards showing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to enable data-driven process insights
Continuous Process Improvement: Ongoing effort using BPM lifecycle to incrementally enhance process efficiency and quality
Process Transformation: Fundamental redesign of processes to significantly improve KPIs and align to business strategies
Drivers for Business Process Management
What factors are motivating enterprises to invest in BPM now? Some of the leading drivers include:
Increasing Agility – The need to rapidly operationalize changing business models, innovations and customer requirements
Cost Optimization – Continued executive mandate to reduce waste, streamline operations and control expenses
Globalization – Coordinating business processes across borders, cultures and disparate systems
Regulations – Requirements for rigorous control, audit trails and reporting on organizational practices
Digital Transformation – Disconnect between legacy processes and new technologies like AI/ML, RPA and cloud platforms
Customer Experience – Aligning processes from the outside-in to enable seamless omni-channel customer journeys
Post-Pandemic Recovery – Reimagining processes to enhance resilience, remote collaboration and automation
The Integrated BPM Lifecycle
BPM should be seen as a continuous improvement approach, not a one-time project. An integrated, closed-loop BPM methodology enables sustainable process optimization. Below are key phases of the BPM lifecycle:
Process Identification
Leverage stakeholder input and process mining algorithms to identify processes for improvement across systems, departments and operations
Process Discovery
Map current state processes end-to-end, document underlying rules, roles and existing automation
Process Analysis
Profile process performance baselines related to KPIs - cost, cycle time, quality, compliance
Process Simulation
Model and test “To-be” process flows addressing pain points using “what-if” scenario modelling
Process Redesign
Define optimized processes incorporating industry best practices and innovative use of enabling technologies
Process Implementation
Execute deployment plan applying change management - user training, system integration, testing and adjustments
Process Monitoring
Instrument processes for detailed visibility publishing operational analytics to business users
Process Diagnosis
Perform root cause analysis on issues using process analytics combined with data visualization
Process Improvement
Continually refine processes based on insights uncovered via monitoring, data analysis and diagnosis
Process Repeat
Use lessons learned from previous iteration to identify new improvement opportunities driving enduring continuity
Business Process Management Solutions
BPM is supported by a range of automation technologies and tools:
Business Process Management Suites
Integrated platforms to model, simulate, execute, monitor and optimize end-to-end processes. Enable continuous process improvement across the BPM lifecycle phases.
Business Process Modeling Tools
Design, map and document business processes using flowchart techniques like BPMN to visualize process steps, decisions and stakeholders
Workflow Management Tools
Route work tasks and documents to users according to predefined process flows and rules enabling consistency
Business Activity Monitoring (BAM)
Capture event streams from multiple data sources in real-time to enable monitoring of business performance
Business Process Analytics
Tools to analyze, identify patterns and visualize process data to provide transparency and actionable insights
Process Mining
Discover actual processes by extracting event logs from IT systems to compare against defined process models
Business Decision Automation
Manage complex business rules and decision logic models to optimize outcomes and compliance
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Automate repetitive, rules-based tasks via software robots interpreting user interfaces just like humans
Who Needs Business Process Management?
Nearly all industries can benefit from BPM but top vertical adopters today include:
Banking
Optimizing processes for lending operations, customer onboarding/KYC, fraud analysis and wealth management
Insurance
Improving underwriting, claims and policy administration while ensuring compliance
Healthcare
Clinical and operational process enhancement – patient intake, diagnostics, billing and reimbursements
Telecom
Managing order-to-activation flows, field workforce scheduling, asset maintenance and fault management
Logistics
Load planning, inventory allocation, distribution operations, shipment tracking and ETA accuracy
Public Sector
Constituent-centric processes for benefits claims, assistance programs, licenses and policy guidance
Manufacturing
Quality assurance procedures, shop floor scheduling, inventory control and product development workflows
Critical Capabilities for BPM Success
While software alone cannot guarantee positive outcomes - these organizational capabilities drive and sustain effective BPM adoption:
Executive Sponsorship
Ongoing C-level oversight, prioritization and funding to instill process-centric culture
BPM Competency Center
Centralized team of process experts providing governance, best practices, tools, templates and training
Enterprise Process Architecture
Common taxonomy, standards and methodology governing process models, automation approaches and data
Master Data Management (MDM)
Consistent, complete and trustworthy master data asset supporting process analysis and decisions
Organizational Alignment
Proactive change management across people, process and technology promoting process literacy at all levels
IT/Business Collaboration
Strong partnership between IT and business teams in process design phases
BPM Methodology Best Practices
Follow these proven steps for implementing BPM initiatives successfully:
Understand Strategic Drivers
Document business objectives, KPIs and current vs. desired future state processes
Define Governance Model
Create BPM oversight team, competency center, change network, executive steering committee
Conduct As-Is Process Discovery
Leverage process mining to analyze actual processes, pain points and improvement needs
Develop Future State Process Architecture
Map process flows at the enterprise level showing connectivity between departmental processes
Prioritize Process Redesign Efforts
Focus initial BPM projects on urgent, high impact processes demonstrating quick ROI
Manage Organizational Change
Drive process culture via awareness, training, incentives and continuous communication
Scale BPM Program
Once successful, replicate process methods across other areas ensuring consistency and coordination
Advance Technical Capabilities
Evolve tools to support increasing process complexity as competencies and maturity progresses
Business Process Management Key Trends
Some noteworthy BPM developments to expect in 2024 include:
Intelligent Business Process Management (iBPM)
Infusing automation with AI, RPA and analytics for smarter exception handling, forecasting and optimization
Process Mining Proliferation
Discovering actual processes via data mining algorithms to enable fact-based analysis and continual auditing
Business Process as a Service (BPaaS)
Consuming prebuilt industry process apps from the cloud allowing faster time to value
Workflow Apps Expansion
Citizen developers drag-and-drop configuring workflow apps with minimal coding
Embedded Process Insights
Analytics and monitoring instrumentation natively embedded in processes via digital dashboards
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Focus
Applying BPM to enhance traceability, compliance and reporting for sustainability initiatives
Natural Language Interfaces
Voice commands and conversational agents to query process performance and guide users through workflows
Predictive Business Processes
Simulation and machine learning anticipate scenarios for dynamic adjustments of processes before issues arise
Blockchain Integration
Leveraging blockchain to enable trustworthy process audit trails, transparency and data lineage
BPM Human+Bots Collaboration
RPA bots and AI assistants augmenting human tasks in process workflows for straight through processing
When to Adopt Business Process Management
Indicators that your organization can strongly benefit from BPM:
Inconsistent Process Execution
Wide variance in outcomes, cycle times and quality depending on factors like employee skills, locations or workload
Limited Visibility
Lack of clarity into end-to-end processes and hand-offs spanning systems, apps and organizations
Changing Business Conditions
Difficulty adapting processes, resources and customer journeys to market disruptions and new innovations
Unsatisfactory Customer Experiences
Complaints regarding slow request resolution, convoluted application processes or billing errors
Non Compliance Risks
Inability to adhere to regulations and changing compliance rules leading to penalties or litigation
Unstructured Processes
Overreliance on heroics, tribal knowledge and manual interventions to progress processes
Mergers & Acquisitions
Disjointed processes from lack of standards between merged companies or acquired business units
Cost Overruns
Budget overages tied to inefficient processes with redundant efforts across people and systems
Strategic Misalignment
Functional strategies and operations disconnected from broader corporate objectives
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
In summary, leading enterprises are embracing Business Process Management to transform operational excellence in alignment with customer expectations and strategic goals.
Key highlights for organizations investigating BPM include:
Adopt Continuous Improvement Mindset – Follow structured BPM lifecycle methodology vs. one-off optimizations
Take Outside-In Approach – Map external “white space” customer journeys before internal workflows
Identify Quick Wins – Prioritize high impact processes for greatest ROI benefitcases
Enhance Analytics Investment – Collect data across processes for fact-based insights and diagnostics
Prepare Culture – Drive executive commitment, process literacy training and change management
Leverage Cloud Economics – Consider BPaaS solutions for faster time-to-value over on-premise software
Build BPM CoE – Establish BPM Center of Excellence for guidance, governance, standards and best practices
Evolve Along The Maturity Curve – Grow BPM scope as organizational capabilities and competencies mature
Reach out to explore how to launch your BPM program for transformational outcomes.
The Essential Guide to Business Process Management (BPM) in 2024
Business process management (BPM) has become an indispensable practice for companies seeking to optimize operations, reduce costs, enhance customer experience and promote business growth through process improvement. This BPM guide covers everything from understanding BPM concepts to identifying the types of BPM solutions, implementation methodologies, critical success factors, latest trends and best practices to follow in 2024.
With the right BPM software, governance model and organizational change management - enterprises can transform fragmented workflows into efficient automated business processes aligned to strategic goals. Read on to determine if your organization needs BPM, and if so, how to approach BPM initiatives.
Defining Business Process Management
Business process management encompasses various methods and tools to discover, document, analyze, improve, optimize and manage end-to-end business processes. BPM relies on process modeling methodologies to depict workflows, interactions and decision logic across people, systems and apps.
The focus of BPM is enhancing how work gets executed horizontally across departments, systems and companies to deliver business value and positive outcomes in alignment with organizational objectives. It applies process thinking to connect discrete tasks into integrated processes.
Some key concepts in BPM include:
Business Process: A series of structured business activities with specific flow, triggers and dependencies to accomplish a defined business outcome.
Process Owner: An executive accountable for process KPIs related to cost, quality, cycle time and compliance
Process Analysis: Assessing, baselining and diagnosing process constraints to identify waste and performance improvement opportunities
Process Automation: Use of technology to execute repetitive process tasks reducing human effort and errors
Process Simulation: Modeling process flows under different scenarios to validate designs before implementation
Process Analytics: Monitoring process dashboards showing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to enable data-driven process insights
Continuous Process Improvement: Ongoing effort using BPM lifecycle to incrementally enhance process efficiency and quality
Process Transformation: Fundamental redesign of processes to significantly improve KPIs and align to business strategies
Drivers for Business Process Management
What factors are motivating enterprises to invest in BPM now? Some of the leading drivers include:
Increasing Agility – The need to rapidly operationalize changing business models, innovations and customer requirements
Cost Optimization – Continued executive mandate to reduce waste, streamline operations and control expenses
Globalization – Coordinating business processes across borders, cultures and disparate systems
Regulations – Requirements for rigorous control, audit trails and reporting on organizational practices
Digital Transformation – Disconnect between legacy processes and new technologies like AI/ML, RPA and cloud platforms
Customer Experience – Aligning processes from the outside-in to enable seamless omni-channel customer journeys
Post-Pandemic Recovery – Reimagining processes to enhance resilience, remote collaboration and automation
The Integrated BPM Lifecycle
BPM should be seen as a continuous improvement approach, not a one-time project. An integrated, closed-loop BPM methodology enables sustainable process optimization. Below are key phases of the BPM lifecycle:
Process Identification
Leverage stakeholder input and process mining algorithms to identify processes for improvement across systems, departments and operations
Process Discovery
Map current state processes end-to-end, document underlying rules, roles and existing automation
Process Analysis
Profile process performance baselines related to KPIs - cost, cycle time, quality, compliance
Process Simulation
Model and test “To-be” process flows addressing pain points using “what-if” scenario modelling
Process Redesign
Define optimized processes incorporating industry best practices and innovative use of enabling technologies
Process Implementation
Execute deployment plan applying change management - user training, system integration, testing and adjustments
Process Monitoring
Instrument processes for detailed visibility publishing operational analytics to business users
Process Diagnosis
Perform root cause analysis on issues using process analytics combined with data visualization
Process Improvement
Continually refine processes based on insights uncovered via monitoring, data analysis and diagnosis
Process Repeat
Use lessons learned from previous iteration to identify new improvement opportunities driving enduring continuity
Business Process Management Solutions
BPM is supported by a range of automation technologies and tools:
Business Process Management Suites
Integrated platforms to model, simulate, execute, monitor and optimize end-to-end processes. Enable continuous process improvement across the BPM lifecycle phases.
Business Process Modeling Tools
Design, map and document business processes using flowchart techniques like BPMN to visualize process steps, decisions and stakeholders
Workflow Management Tools
Route work tasks and documents to users according to predefined process flows and rules enabling consistency
Business Activity Monitoring (BAM)
Capture event streams from multiple data sources in real-time to enable monitoring of business performance
Business Process Analytics
Tools to analyze, identify patterns and visualize process data to provide transparency and actionable insights
Process Mining
Discover actual processes by extracting event logs from IT systems to compare against defined process models
Business Decision Automation
Manage complex business rules and decision logic models to optimize outcomes and compliance
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Automate repetitive, rules-based tasks via software robots interpreting user interfaces just like humans
Who Needs Business Process Management?
Nearly all industries can benefit from BPM but top vertical adopters today include:
Banking
Optimizing processes for lending operations, customer onboarding/KYC, fraud analysis and wealth management
Insurance
Improving underwriting, claims and policy administration while ensuring compliance
Healthcare
Clinical and operational process enhancement – patient intake, diagnostics, billing and reimbursements
Telecom
Managing order-to-activation flows, field workforce scheduling, asset maintenance and fault management
Logistics
Load planning, inventory allocation, distribution operations, shipment tracking and ETA accuracy
Public Sector
Constituent-centric processes for benefits claims, assistance programs, licenses and policy guidance
Manufacturing
Quality assurance procedures, shop floor scheduling, inventory control and product development workflows
Critical Capabilities for BPM Success
While software alone cannot guarantee positive outcomes - these organizational capabilities drive and sustain effective BPM adoption:
Executive Sponsorship
Ongoing C-level oversight, prioritization and funding to instill process-centric culture
BPM Competency Center
Centralized team of process experts providing governance, best practices, tools, templates and training
Enterprise Process Architecture
Common taxonomy, standards and methodology governing process models, automation approaches and data
Master Data Management (MDM)
Consistent, complete and trustworthy master data asset supporting process analysis and decisions
Organizational Alignment
Proactive change management across people, process and technology promoting process literacy at all levels
IT/Business Collaboration
Strong partnership between IT and business teams in process design phases
BPM Methodology Best Practices
Follow these proven steps for implementing BPM initiatives successfully:
Understand Strategic Drivers
Document business objectives, KPIs and current vs. desired future state processes
Define Governance Model
Create BPM oversight team, competency center, change network, executive steering committee
Conduct As-Is Process Discovery
Leverage process mining to analyze actual processes, pain points and improvement needs
Develop Future State Process Architecture
Map process flows at the enterprise level showing connectivity between departmental processes
Prioritize Process Redesign Efforts
Focus initial BPM projects on urgent, high impact processes demonstrating quick ROI
Manage Organizational Change
Drive process culture via awareness, training, incentives and continuous communication
Scale BPM Program
Once successful, replicate process methods across other areas ensuring consistency and coordination
Advance Technical Capabilities
Evolve tools to support increasing process complexity as competencies and maturity progresses
Business Process Management Key Trends
Some noteworthy BPM developments to expect in 2024 include:
Intelligent Business Process Management (iBPM)
Infusing automation with AI, RPA and analytics for smarter exception handling, forecasting and optimization
Process Mining Proliferation
Discovering actual processes via data mining algorithms to enable fact-based analysis and continual auditing
Business Process as a Service (BPaaS)
Consuming prebuilt industry process apps from the cloud allowing faster time to value
Workflow Apps Expansion
Citizen developers drag-and-drop configuring workflow apps with minimal coding
Embedded Process Insights
Analytics and monitoring instrumentation natively embedded in processes via digital dashboards
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Focus
Applying BPM to enhance traceability, compliance and reporting for sustainability initiatives
Natural Language Interfaces
Voice commands and conversational agents to query process performance and guide users through workflows
Predictive Business Processes
Simulation and machine learning anticipate scenarios for dynamic adjustments of processes before issues arise
Blockchain Integration
Leveraging blockchain to enable trustworthy process audit trails, transparency and data lineage
BPM Human+Bots Collaboration
RPA bots and AI assistants augmenting human tasks in process workflows for straight through processing
When to Adopt Business Process Management
Indicators that your organization can strongly benefit from BPM:
Inconsistent Process Execution
Wide variance in outcomes, cycle times and quality depending on factors like employee skills, locations or workload
Limited Visibility
Lack of clarity into end-to-end processes and hand-offs spanning systems, apps and organizations
Changing Business Conditions
Difficulty adapting processes, resources and customer journeys to market disruptions and new innovations
Unsatisfactory Customer Experiences
Complaints regarding slow request resolution, convoluted application processes or billing errors
Non Compliance Risks
Inability to adhere to regulations and changing compliance rules leading to penalties or litigation
Unstructured Processes
Overreliance on heroics, tribal knowledge and manual interventions to progress processes
Mergers & Acquisitions
Disjointed processes from lack of standards between merged companies or acquired business units
Cost Overruns
Budget overages tied to inefficient processes with redundant efforts across people and systems
Strategic Misalignment
Functional strategies and operations disconnected from broader corporate objectives
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
In summary, leading enterprises are embracing Business Process Management to transform operational excellence in alignment with customer expectations and strategic goals.
Key highlights for organizations investigating BPM include:
Adopt Continuous Improvement Mindset – Follow structured BPM lifecycle methodology vs. one-off optimizations
Take Outside-In Approach – Map external “white space” customer journeys before internal workflows
Identify Quick Wins – Prioritize high impact processes for greatest ROI benefitcases
Enhance Analytics Investment – Collect data across processes for fact-based insights and diagnostics
Prepare Culture – Drive executive commitment, process literacy training and change management
Leverage Cloud Economics – Consider BPaaS solutions for faster time-to-value over on-premise software
Build BPM CoE – Establish BPM Center of Excellence for guidance, governance, standards and best practices
Evolve Along The Maturity Curve – Grow BPM scope as organizational capabilities and competencies mature
Reach out to explore how to launch your BPM program for transformational outcomes.