BPM Methodology

The Business Process Management (BPM) methodology enables the execution and management of the corporate strategy through business processes making it the ideal approach for business transformations.

Consider BPM as the business transformation framework that is executed through the business process lifecycle, to link organizational objectives, processes, people, and technology.

The business process lifecycle consists of six phases: Assessment, Design, Model, Implement, Monitor and Modify

Specific activities are conducted within each phase to ensure proper process maturity. BPM being highly iterative. activities may be started in several phases concurrently.

Data is collected and analysed throughout the business process lifecycle to ensure process efficiency and effectiveness.

Determine the maturity of your business processes and readiness for transformation based on the details provided below.

BPM Phases

To view the details of a phase, click a tab on the left

Assessment

The Assessment Phase

This is the starting phase for business transformations.

Activities performed in this phase are intended to establish a baseline from which all future BPM activities can be planned and executed.

Consider the Assessment phase as a “Discovery” of the current "As-is" state where critical processes, people, systems and data attributes are determined, researched, questioned, assessed, validated, tested and documented.

It is not uncommon that activities performed during this phase will spill over to the Design phase activities to test concepts and ideas, commonly known as “What-If” scenarios.

Design

The Design Phase

The Design phase is where the concept of a solution begins to take shape.

Activities performed in this phase are intended to establish a “Proof of Concept” (POC) of the "To-Be" end state that harmonizes business processes, people's interaction and the deployment of technology.

Consider the Design phase as the "Realization" and “Visualization ” of a calibrated proposed solution designed to perform to predetermined standards.

Activities performed during this phase are iterative with the Assessment phase activities for the purpose of testing concepts and ideas, commonly known as “What-If” scenarios.

Model

The Model Phase

This is the phase where the proposed solution is evaluated for effectiveness.

Activities performed in this phase use data to quantify the effectiveness of the solution in comparison to the current state and the expected outcomes and results.

Consider the Model phase as a performance “Simulation” of the solution to test and measure the impact on the organization, the processes, the people, and technology.

It is not uncommon that activities performed during this phase will require iterative revisions to the design options while conducting “What-If” scenarios .

Implement

The Implement Phase

This phase is where the transition from the current state to the new state takes place.

Activities performed in this phase involve the most impact on the organization as it transitions to the end state. Several transition approaches are available, depending on the organisation and the situation. These include: extended simulations, piloting, phasing, running in parallel and complete change over "Big Bang".

Consider the Implement phase as the execution of a “Change Management" plan that will impact all associated stakeholders including vendors and customers, processes and systems. Hence, meticulous planning of resources and activities is essential to the success of the project.

Monitor

The Monitor Phase

This phase measures the post implementation performance of the process, using live data.

Activities performed in this phase are intended to provide a measure of the effectiveness of the changes made, to identify bottlenecks and issues and to validate the projected KPIs as well as to develop the necessary remedies.

Consider the Monitor phase as a “Dashboard” of the business process to assist with reporting on the health of the process and diagnose identified issues leading to root causes.

It is not uncommon that activities performed during this phase will spill over to the Modify phase to finetune the process and implement necessary corrective and preventive actions.

Modify

The Modify Phase

This is the phase where optimisation of the process takes place.

Activities performed in this phase are intended to focus on key process parameters for the purpose of reducing cost, maximising throughput and improving efficiency.

Consider the Modify phase as a “Continuous Improvement” effort to finetune the process. As with any Continuous Improvement methodology, it follows a set sequence of steps, within a cycle to state and quantify the problem then fix and deploy the solution then remeasure.

The Modify phase is iterative in nature whereby incremental improvements and problems are fixed on a continuous basis requiring the business process lifecycle be repeated as needed.