Getting a business process management system implementation up and running can be a difficult endeavor for any business to achieve. Configuring a BPM system takes plenty of time and effort and should never be done with haste, no matter how fast a company would like these new systems and changes to be put into effect. Below, we will discuss precisely what business process management is, how it affects a business, and why it means the world to have a clear and fleshed-out plan before bringing in these new processes and improvements.
What is BPM Implementation (BPM)?
In its simplest definition, BPM system implementation refers to the integration of processes that act as the “DNA” of your business or company. This can include the things your business does, how it does them, and identifying areas of improvement or change. Finding these improvements in an existing work structure allows companies to maximize the value generated by implementing new technology. Further, BPM refers to both the discipline of how we manage various workflow processes as well as the IT solutions used to accomplish these processes.
Since so much is at play here, it’s important to understand clearly which processes need improvement before any implementations are made. Businesses must get used to the idea of thinking about what happens first, and only then can they evaluate what data and services might be involved to achieve these desired outcomes. Thus, a BPM platform or system helps significantly in both planning and implementing these new processes.
What is BPM Software?
Business process management software can be defined as a solution to various problems and challenges today’s enterprises are facing, especially as brand-new IT systems continue to emerge on a daily basis. These software systems help manage business processes and provide an opportunity to automate everyday tasks and process logic. BPM software easily allows a business to design, model, execute, automate and improve their everyday tasks.
There are several key benefits that a good BPM system will bring to your organization:
- Efficiency - BPM software gives you a clear picture of workflows so you can better direct your resources, identify redundancies or deficiencies, and overall have a more streamlined operation with increased productivity.
- Process Management - By having a detailed overview of your workflows, you’ll be able to use your BPM system to make informed decisions about how to manage and delegate tasks, which provides you with improved visibility and control over your business.
- Competitiveness - Your system will allow you to strategically finetune your workflows and increase your overall operational agility, thus sharpening your competitive edge and preparing you to adapt to market changes.
Business Process Management Plan Checklist
A business process management plan can work wonders when implementing new processes and technologies, as it provides a basis to expand from and helps categorize each new process in a coherent manner. Here is a checklist that can help flesh out any plans for a BPM system, so you can find the perfect software for your enterprise and bring forth these changes without downtime or revenue loss:
- Carefully Choose a New BPM Platform - With so many different BPM systems out there, it takes time to figure out which platform best fits your needs. It’s also important to note that not every platform provides the same flexibility, and some don’t allow for applications to be changed when needed. Use this to your advantage, do thorough research, and decide on a platform that is both easy to use and easy to implement to save you from operational issues and additional downtime.
- Choose a Process Owner - Identifying a new process owner is crucial for any successful business process management implementation. Choose someone who is accountable and can be relied upon to properly handle any and all new processes and data. This way, you can efficiently bring forth these changes through one reputable source without complicating the operations of other employees or team members.
- Identify Workflow Priorities - As when testing a preliminary process, it’s important to have a clear objective before triggering workflows. Identify your priorities, and come up with a specific objective you wish to achieve before trying to complete all of your implementation goals. This way, you can make sense of the data from previous processes and get a sense of how long you can expect each workflow to take.
- Understand Process History - Never assume anything when creating workflows within a BPM system. Instead, get an understanding of the history of these processes and how they were managed before this new implementation. This way, your process owner can decide on what can be automated in order to avoid the difficulties that manual processes create. Consider diagraming your workflow to achieve this task.
- Digitize Your First Process - It is never advised to take on a business process management implementation all in one go. Instead, choose aone process to start with. It’s hard and time-consuming to create “the perfect” solution right away. Instead, focus on creating MVP (Minimum Viable Product), run it, let your users test it and then enter the phase of continuous improvement.
- Train Users - Consider running a pilot test to understand how a BPM will impact your business process, and use this to train all users with the various changes. Since every participant is held accountable during this implementation process, take this time to coach your staff, conduct workshops, and evaluate what each person can expect along the way.
- Evaluate Results and Adjust Accordingly - Now that your BPM system is up and running, look back at how your business process management plan was carried out, and evaluate the ROI you are seeking. Whether it’s using KPIs to break down data, or simply noting whether or not certain goals have been met, don’t be afraid to tinker with processes until you feel as if this new BPM system is as perfect as it can be.
At WEBCON, we offer a low-code business process automation platform as an effective BPM solution. This platform allows businesses to create applications, streamline processes, and accelerate digital transformation through each step of implementing your BPM system. For more information regarding our services, contact us today.
