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BPM success hinges on holistic strategies

Tara Charles
March 20, 2013

Investing in business process management software can be a major commitment for a company. Deciding to build new process strategies that are integrated with technology can be a long and challenging process, but the rewards are considerable. Maximizing the benefits of BPM software deployment often depends on being able to take a broad look at operations and make tactical decisions based on a variety of considerations.

In an interview with Integration Developer News, Gartner analyst Samantha Searle explained that a wide range of conditions impact BPM success, but focusing on a few key strategies can go a long way toward positioning a company for positive results.

Using the right data for decision making

Many BPM strategies come out of strategic planning sessions in which business leaders look at company-related information and evaluate what needs to be done better. According to Searle, getting BPM projects off on the right foot depends heavily on using the right metric data and understanding how all of the information comes together to impact end-user processes.

Searle told the news source that it can be tempting to use data in a one sided fashion, leading to efforts that improve processes in one area in a way that is detrimental to another business component. Using the right metrics and applying them in the context of other data can guide BPM projects to a positive end.

Take users into account

In the Integration Developer News interview, Searle explained that listening to what users think about processes is not just about getting them to feel involved, it is about identifying the real pain points that impact employees, and identifying key strategies.

"By listening, [workers] feel their opinion is valued and it helps to build a strong working relationship with them," Searle told the news source. "Once business users understand that you are empowering them to work with you (the techies) to improve their ability to meet their business goals, you will have their willingness to collaborate."

Taking full advantage of technology

BPM software provides organizations with a unique opportunity to not only improve processes, but to do so in away that integrates technology and operations in an organic manner. This can be incredibly important considering the consumerization of IT. Mobile devices, cloud computing and social solutions are becoming a natural part of people's lives. Using BPM to leverage those tools in corporate settings allows companies to benefit from the technological knowledge of the workforce and maximize those capabilities.