Case Studies for Business Reengineering

Business reengineering case studies let you avoid costly mistakes
By A Antonow While there are many business reengineering resources available, case studies are often the best way to learn about business process reengineering (BPR). Since BPR is all about increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of business processes, studying it theoretically often is not as practical. Analyzing case studies of business reengineering information makes more sense since you can often look at the specific tactics that companies used to improve business processes.

Scouring case studies for business reengineering information is useful because case studies show you what specific methods worked for a company that made radical changes -- and which changes failed to have the desired impact. By studying business reengineering case study articles and specific case studies for companies in similar industries, you can often decide what tactics make the most sense for your own business. When relying on case studies for business reengineering information, consider:

1. Looking to business directories to find white papers and case study BPR material in your industry.

2. Finding business schools with BPR case studies available online.

3. Reading business case analysis articles for summarized information.

Visit business information directories offering links to case studies on BPR

Finding case studies for BPR can be challenging, but business information directories make finding the case studies you need easier. These directories generally gather business-related white papers and case studies in one location so that you can search for case studies using keywords. Most directories offer case studies across many industries and allow you to download case studies online.
Try:  BNET lets you locate business reengineering case studies across industries. MIG and Co. quickly lets you find online business process reengineering case studies.

Use business school resources to find BPR case studies

Business schools often make case studies about BPR available to students. These can be great resources since schools often gather information that is accurate, timely and includes information not available at some business directories. Business schools often make BPR case studies and other resources available to anyone.
Try:  CasePlace.org is a portal created by Aspen Institute's Center for Business Education. The case studies and teaching materials on the site are easily searchable. The BPR OnLine Learning Center, sponsored by ProSci, also has an online portal for finding case studies on BPR.

Find BPR case study articles to get some journalistic objectivity

Since finding BPR case studies online can be somewhat challenging, articles on business process reengineering can be a great way to read about BPR case studies. These articles often summarize the findings of hard-to-find BPR case studies and even offer a writer's objectivity and interpretation of the case study, saving you from having to do extensive analysis. If after reading an article you want to know more you can generally find the specific BPR case studies mentioned in the piece by contacting the writer and asking for more information or by looking at the bibliographic citations of the article.
Try:  Dow Jones Factiva lets your company access plenty of articles written about business process reengineering case studies. EBSCO easily lets you find articles about business and process reengineering case studies. The company offers a free trial to corporations.

• Keep in mind that some BPR case studies are free at one site and pay-to-download on other sites. When you find a case study you wish to read, always run an Internet search on the title to see whether the title is available as a free version as well as a paid version.