5 Questions with Ed – BPM Sustainability – Part 1
Recently, iGrafx Chief Evangelist Ed Maddock spoke with the team at PEX Network to discuss the current direction of Business Process Management (BPM). In part 1 of the interview, we will learn how the past year has shaped current innovations in BPM, and the importance of aligning individual projects with long term strategic objectives.
How can BPM help organizations align strategic objectives with operational execution?
BPM is a term that can be interpreted multiple ways. Often, people think of just Business Process Automation. In that context, it is very difficult to get alignment between strategic goals and the operations of an organization. It is very much a Project specific approach, and the prioritization is often who yells the loudest. But by using a more encompassing definition of BPM, we would consider a complete set of tools which, beyond Automation, would include Process Discovery (Documentation, Import, Process Mining, etc.), Process Analysis & Operational Excellence (redesigning processes for efficiency and effectivity), Process Compliance (Audit Resilient Knowledge Management) and, most importantly, Business Architecture. It is this last component that connects the dots between operational execution and strategic objectives. We call complete solutions like this, Business Transformation Platforms. This is a more effective definition of BPM.
Last year’s PEX Report on BPM found mobile tech that facilitates BPM and large-scale initiatives will become increasingly important – is this the case this year? Have you seen this happening?
This will increasingly be the case as it is in all industries. Specifically for BPM whether we are talking about automated or manual processes, access to Process Knowledge on the “shop floor” is critical to guarantee quality and consistent execution of activity. In our case, we have seen an uptick in the use of technology like QR codes to allow handheld devices to zoom in quickly to the data they need to do their jobs. And with a Business Transformation Platform, they are assured the right information is in the right hands at the right time. This will only increase in the near term.
How has the role of BPM changed during the pandemic?
The pandemic has exposed many issues around Business Continuity and Resiliency. From Supply Chain to Critical Business Processes, organizations need to have better transparency to enhance their ability to shift to backup plans more quickly. That requires the insight provided by Business Transformation solutions that include Business Architecture to connect the dots between key processes, resources, external suppliers, and the services you provide to your customer. All this needs to be controlled so your customer sees no adverse impact to their Journey. Maintaining a positive customer experience through exceptional situations like these are what elevates companies both during and after such events.
In part two of our interview, we will answer questions on the role of low-code solutions, how BPM is driving business innovations, and what the future holds for business process management solutions. The latest report from the PEX Network discusses how BPM methodology and solutions can help organizations become more agile, implement innovation and build business resilience to move forward in the ‘next normal’. Click here to read the report!