Business Process Management (BPM) simplifies processes, making it possible for business to achieve their objectives. Thus, BPM can be used to align the processes with the goals by improving them and then keeping track of how effective those changes have been. Only through such constant monitoring can businesses keep improving the processes and optimize them to suit their needs. While a BPM initiative can be applied to a single stage in a process, it is usually an enterprise-wide strategy and can be divided into the following phases:

Understanding

By using a process framework, you can document the processes under observation. These processes usually have been chosen because of the value they deliver to your customers or they are in alignment with the company’s other goals. The step involves the creation of a standard for documentation and a central repository for its storage.

Improvement

Business processes are dissected likely by teams and their problems identified. After that, improvements will be recommended. This stage involves the use of formal methodology, which can be a hybrid method or something like Lean Six Sigma.  

Automation/Optimization

After the selection of improvement methods have been made and applied, technology can be introduced for further advantages. For instance, by monitoring a process, you can keep track of it and use the insights gained from it to solve problems and resolve bottlenecks. But most of these problems arise due to manual errors made by the staff involved in a process. Automation of the process by using BPM technology can eliminate human mistakes.

Most Common BPM Methodology – DMEMO

BPM methodology is cyclical by nature and can be divided into several phases. The phases in their turn are also divided into individual sets of tasks. Execution of those tasks will mean completion of each phase. DMEMO is the most commonly used methodology in BPM. It is divided into the following phases; each of which have a specific purpose:

• Design 
• Model 
• Execute
• Monitor
• Optimize

There is another similar business process methodology called DMAIC. It is slightly different in its approach in that, it has the following phases:

• Define
• Measure
• Analyze
• Improve
• Control

Using BPM for Improvement

• Define the company’s goals

Before you take the first step in improving a business process, you need to know what your end goal should be. Well-defined company goals in unambiguous language will help you see where you are headed.

• Get feedback from various sources

This next step is important and involves listening! Not only should you be focusing at customer feedback but you should also consider visiting each department. Talk to the team heads because they will have a good idea of what isn’t working. Then interview the team members and watch them while they are at work. Note down everything and take pictures or make short videos for later. Once you are done, make a list of the processes that need improvement.

• Think core not secondary

Now look at the list of the processes that are problematic. Try separating the core problems that are acting as impediments in achieving of the company’s goals.

• Look for opportunities not just problems

Pay attention to the potential opportunities that can arise from resolving the problems you have outlined. Consider the following areas of operation and see which ones can produce a change that helps your company achieve its goals:

• Customer self-service
• Increased management visibility
• Integration of people, data, and processes with CRM/ERP and other critical systems

• Start Small

Running a company requires a healthy dose of practicality because even if they are considerable, its resources won’t be unlimited. A BPM solution can likely be applied to multiple processes that are a part of your list of improvements. However, that doesn’t mean you should go through with them all. Your priority should be the BPM solution that will help achieve the company’s goals. You will also have to balance the resources it will require with the advantages it will offer. Therefore, start small to go big!

After you have completed all the steps mentioned above, then you can move on to the next one i.e. selecting the right BPM solution to ensure your plan is a success!

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