What Is a Business Process Model?
In the world of business, efficiency is a much sought after ideal. Efficiency streamlines business processes, thereby saving time and money while increasing the potential for profit. Achieving efficiency requires a business to spend time analyzing its processes and procedures to locate and modify those that do not contribute to this ideal. Creating a business process model that establishes a baseline for activity is one way to complete this analysis.
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Purpose
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The primary purpose of a business process model is to understand and challenge. Viewing a physical representation of current business processes helps you understand process methods, shows where a process does not match a practice and challenges current ways of thinking. A process model can help you make decisions on the information, systems, training, documentation, interaction and individuals you need to get a job done. In addition, a process model can assist other departments, such as the IT department, to create programs that work with, not against, "how you work."
Identification
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A business process model is an identification tool. It defines a goal, such as resolving billing issues that prevent customers from paying their bill, then defines and analyzes the activities involved in this process. In addition to physical steps, analysis includes items such as activity sequence, roles and responsibilities, authority structure, how the activity integrates with other processes, information requirements, existing documentation and looks at how well available technology matches the business process. Modeling tools, such as mind maps, flowcharts and diagrams assist in documenting the business process and ultimately help create a process model.
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Representation
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The physical representation of a business process model includes several sections. First, it states the purpose, or goal of the activity, then provides a general description and determines whether the activity is optional or always required. A modeling tool provides information regarding steps, current procedures and input requirements for completing the activity. Next, documentation of activity deliverables according to the desired outcome, and a listing of participants required to complete the activity, rounds out the business process model.
Using
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While a business process model may begin as a tool for identifying and analyzing current business processes and procedures, it is also a useful tool in other areas. Businesses use process models as a central knowledge base, a starting point for designing computer systems, as a means for identifying focus areas for employee training, and for assistance in developing business growth plans. Business process models encourage communication and collaboration between departments such as IT and management and help businesses achieve efficient workflow.
Limitations
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Business process modeling faces both internal and external limitations. Because of the unpredictable nature of business, you cannot create a business process model to cover every possible situation. Unusual situations may demand a response that deviates from the model. In addition, process models relate in some fashion, so a change in one process causes a change in others. This external "domino effect" can be far-reaching.
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References
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- Photo Credit process flow image by Christopher Hall from Fotolia.com
