Business Process Management

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Guide to Business Process Management (BPM)

Map your way toward business efficiency
By Holly Ocasio Rizzo

Business process management (BPM) can be a confusing arena, but the gist of it is an effort to map, streamline and evaluate any process — whether production, shipping, compliance or planning — so your company operates as efficiently as possible. These three steps will get you on the road to implementing BPM:

1. Determine whether you want part or all of your business simplified.
2. Choose a professional or do-it-yourself method.
3. Execute and manage the program.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn all that BPM can do On your way to better efficiency and cost savings, you can choose to reduce time, steps, errors or employees — or a combination of these things.

I recommend:  BPM101 walks you through each of the components, from process mapping to automation to integration. DMReview explains what to look for and why, along with the challenges and risks.

Consider a consultant With so many aspects of a business to coordinate, it often helps to have a specialist walk you through the steps.

I recommend:  Six Sigma sends consultants whose aim is to train you to do it yourself. The Business Process Management Group and BPM Partners are among the many firms that offer training, research and support.

Go with ready-made management A Web-based program for your business category can be adjusted to your company's needs. Some programs are focused on just one element; others are more encompassing.

I recommend:  Industry diehards include Applix, Business Objects and Longview. Intuit's QuickBase offers Web-based programs in 12 general categories plus one where you can build your own. Adobe has an online movie offering a tour of project management solutions with its LiveCycle software. BizFlow, Tibco and Global360 are just some of the many other options. The BPM Institute links to the Web sites of more than a dozen software-design companies.

Involve your IT department For BPM to work well — especially when software is involved — you'll want your IT people to be able to integrate and optimize it with the rest of your company's technological applications.

I recommend:  Look into training for them, whether with the BPM Institute or any of the resources provided at BPM Basics.

Tap into a BPM network Keep up to date on BPM developments and get help when you need it with solid contacts in the industry.

I recommend:  Check out Adobe's free BPM e-seminars designed to take your BPM to the next level, or read online newsletter BPM Today or the BPM Discussion Forum.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Some experts believe that when it comes to software, the faster the system speed, the better.
• Choose software compatible with your existing databases and those you expect to add.
• Avoid using different BPMs for different parts of your company. Aim for company-wide cohesiveness.
• As you add BPM, realize that you may need to designate or add employees to monitor and manage it.