People can get confused about business processes. There is a lot of information to know but not all of it is solid or even relevant to your business. Without trying to wade through irrelevant information on the internet, it is more helpful to form a concise definition of what makes a business process work well and how to create one that is effective for your individual needs.
Defining BPM
When concrete steps are laid out and defined for a business process by a group of stakeholders, that is a BPM. A business process begins with laying down a solid foundation. A good business process should outline business goals, steps, and include all relevant stakeholders. A process becomes a way to streamline activities and make sure all the business resources are being used effectively. Having a well-defined process in place sets the scene for what’s to come down the road when upscaling or when bigger shifts happen. Daily operations management is easier, and a standard set of procedures can be organized to maximize efficiency across the organization. Setting yourself up for success with the right processes can be helpful now but, most importantly, for the future of your business.
Know the Steps
Getting the steps down for a successful BPM is not unlike getting the steps down for a dance lesson. When learning how to dance, every step matters because every step makes up the whole dance routine. When one step is off, it may still function okay, but if other steps are out of place or missing, it can throw off the whole routine and even cause chaos to ensue. BPM is a delicate dance, with your business, stakeholders, and goals as important components of the whole.
- Set specific goals: if you don’t know the purpose behind what you are doing, you cannot tell if it will be successful. Goals define the road you are traveling on, so it is important to get the goals down early. Strategically constructed goals are the best way to set defined measurements for a solid BPM.
- Get moving: once you decide on specific goals, it’s time to implement and get moving. Decide which goals to focus on, set an action plan and get people on board. Divvy up tasks, keep track of who is doing what, and put people in charge of day-to-day management of operations. Make sure everyone stays on task and monitor progress as you continue moving forward to find any weak spots that need tweaking.
- Implement the process: take time to test out what you created but don’t implement right away. Communicate with everyone involved and make sure all of them get proper training. You need to ensure everyone knows what they’re supposed to do, how, and why. If they know the reason why they’re doing it, your BPM is more likely to be successful.
If you haven’t noticed by now, the biggest key a solid BPM is the people. The people make a BPM run smoothly and get it on the right track. The right processes also matter to getting things up a running. Starting with a solid beginning should lead to a definitive end goal. If you don’t know where you’re headed, you will forget how to get there and, eventually, where you are going. Like any process that is scientific in nature, it should be able to be repeated with the same success every time you test. The value should bring more to the company than it took to create the process. If it is taking more time, energy, or value from the company then it may not be working properly, and it is time to review. Flexibility is also key to making sure a BPM works properly. As the business process begins to take on new life and is incorporated into a daily work method, a framework can be developed to lay a foundation for more challenging aspects of the business. With a systematic approach, improved efficiency, and improvement that builds over time, a good BPM can drastically enhance a business’s overall impact in the marketplace with the right goals in place.
Read more relevant blog post: How to Get in the Flow with Better Business Processes