Business Process Management (BPM) is a disciplined approach to identifying, designing, executing, documenting, measuring, monitoring, and controlling automated and non-automated business processes to achieve consistent results aligned with an organization's strategic objectives. BPM involves the deliberate management of the processes that are performed in the organization to achieve a desired end.
Why is BPM important?
BPM is important because it helps organizations be more efficient, more effective, and more capable of change than a traditionally functional, hierarchical approach to management. These skills are especially important in times of economic uncertainty. BPM is best thought of as a business approach that encompasses structure, policy, metrics, management systems, and process improvement practices.
BPM Components
BPM is made up of several parts, including:
- Processes: Processes are the activities that are carried out to achieve a specific objective within the organization.
- People: People are the individuals who perform the tasks within the processes.
- Technology: Technology is used to automate, monitor and control processes.
- Policies: Policies are the rules and guidelines that govern how processes are performed.
- Metrics: Metrics are used to measure the performance of processes.
Benefits of BPM
BPM offers many benefits to organizations, including:
- Improved efficiency: BPM helps reduce the time and resources required to complete processes.
- Effectiveness improvement: BPM helps ensure processes are completed correctly and produce the desired result.
- Increased flexibility: BPM enables organizations to quickly adapt to changing market conditions or customer needs.
- Improved visibility: BPM provides a clear view of how processes are performing, which allows organizations to quickly identify and correct problems.
BPM Implementation
Successful BPM implementation requires a clear understanding of existing processes, identifying areas for improvement, setting clear and measurable goals, and implementing changes in a controlled and managed manner. This involves several steps, including:
- Process Mapping: This is the initial step where existing processes are identified and documented.
- Process Analysis: This step involves analyzing existing processes to identify areas for improvement.
- Process Design: Here, processes are redesigned to incorporate the identified improvements.
- Implementation of Processes: In this step, the redesigned processes are implemented in the organization.
- Process Monitoring: Implemented processes are monitored to ensure they are working as expected and to identify any issues.
- Process Optimization: Finally, processes are optimized based on the monitoring results.
In summary, BPM is a powerful approach to business process management that can bring significant benefits to organizations. However, successfully implementing BPM requires a significant commitment of time and resources, as well as a cultural shift to focus on processes rather than individual tasks. As an administrative assistant, understanding and applying BPM principles can be a valuable skill in helping your organization achieve its strategic goals.
