The efforts behind business process management are as much an art as they are a science, and enterprises investing in BPM software have to focus on more than technology to get the job done.
Options like Six Sigma training and other management technique initiatives offer one way to boost processes and streamline workflow. However, companies have two sides of the process management coin to consider. The training and the technology used have to go hand in hand, and investing in high-quality, modern BPM solutions means aligning practice with process.
When investing in solutions such as cloud or mobile BPM, companies should examine the tools used and the best practices that accompany them. By adopting complementary systems, firms will be assuring their success with the efforts and minimizing the effort it takes to adapt and conform to new workflow demands.
Uninterrupted workflow
Part of the "art" of improving process management is knowing where the flaws in the system come from. According to Wealth management, interruptions to workflow are one of the biggest deterrents.
"There are a lot of studies by the Department of Labor that tells you that the cost of interruption is about 23 minutes from the time somebody interrupts their daily routine and then actually gets back to where they were prior to the interruption," Mike Lover, an expert in process improvement, told the news source.
Include employees
Of course, businesses have to consider their overarching company needs as well, including employee participation. Leading management through training is fine, but the workforce has to understand the BPM technology and improvement training as well in order for the efforts to be optimized.
Ensuring employees are properly trained and including them in the decision-making processes is critical for maximizing the potential of the changes that BPM brings. Companies will need to incorporate worker feedback, opinions and other feedback to ensure success in these efforts.
Regardless of whether a business invests in Six Sigma or another process improvement technique, it has to have the technology to support process automation and other improvements. Optimally, a firm will be able to focus on growth as a driver for efficiency, but sometimes process management is necessary in order to reverse a decline, and companies will have to make a quick decision. Ensuring the focus isn't entirely on the science side of the equation will help to make that decision the best one possible for operations.
Ben Farrell
Director of Corporate Communications
