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How do I Choose the Best Business Process Methodology?

H. Bliss
H. Bliss

A business process methodology (BPM) is a plan to create more efficient means of doing business. Generally, a methodology is a type of plan applied to a business process to help make it more efficient or successful. When choosing one, a good way to start is to gather as much information as you can about everything related to the business process. Information about the organization for which you are designing the methodology is the most important kind of information you will need during this process. You will also need to research the available options to discover which might be best for your organization.

BPM is a part of the field of business process improvement and redesign. It can also be known as business process improvement methodology because its goal is to improve business processes. The first step to choosing the right one is to know your organization's current processes well.

Businessman with a briefcase
Businessman with a briefcase

Observe which parts of the current process appear to be working and which parts need improvement. Interview employees to get their take on how business processes might improve. Examine available company data like sales, production, and inventory reports and look for places within production where operations might improve.

One thing to consider is whether a new methodology will improve operations enough to offset the cost of implementing the new methodology. A business process methodology must be a good fit with your organization if it is going to work. Sometimes, an old plan that you know works sufficiently may be a better choice than chancing the implementation costs of a new methodology that doesn't fit.

When executing a business process design, the goal is to improve its efficiency by optimizing a business process. Business process optimization is a means of creating an efficient business process, which can include improving a process that is currently in use or designing a tailored process to improve operations. When optimizing a business process, a company can use steps like simulation and modeling to decide on the best one.

Business process modeling involves creating visual representations of the process to help leaders and managers at an organization better understand the way the organization works. Diagramming processes during modeling is sometimes called business process notation. Tools used in this practice include flow charts and presentations.

Discussion Comments

anon158012

I believe the key challenge with process modeling is the unfamiliarity of most business users and even analysts with how to do this and also the lack of availability of easy-to-use tools that are better than just using Word, Visio or PowerPoint.

We have been using the AccuProcess Modeler over the last year and have found this to be a great tool which anyone can use without a lot of training. It includes process modeling, documentation and even process simulation for the as-is and to-be processes. Thanks. - Jenn N.

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