3 Steps To Successful Process Management

Everything we know is changing rapidly in front of our very eyes, challenging us every day more.

And it’s not just our everyday life that is jeopardized by this – let’s call it adjustment. No, the business world is also turned upside down and it’s struggling to meet the demands of the 21st century.

In order to do so, every organization simply must pay attention to its BPM.

It is shortened for Business Process Management, and it is how one company creates, edits, and analyzes the predictable processes that make up the core of its business.

Imagine an organization, a company, whatever you like.

Now, imagine that company divided into departments. Each one is responsible for taking some raw material or data and transforming it into something else.

Now, do the math. There might be a dozen (or even more) core processes that each department handles.

So, what does the BPM do?

It basically takes a step back in order to look at all of these processes. In total and individually. What is does next is analyzing and identifying ways and methods to improve the entire process, making it more efficient and effective.

Of course, it is all done just to align those processes with an organization’s strategic goals – and that is aligning business functions with customer needs.

Business process management (BPM) is an important concept and once properly implemented – the benefits of it might just be tremendous.

No wonder organizations of all sizes and types use BPM to improve business processes from end to end. It helps executives to determine ways to deploy, monitor and measure company resources.

This process actually helps the organization enhance its efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize errors and risk. And all that results in optimizing results.

Process management is the use of a repeatable process to improve the outcome of the project.

Key distinctions between process management and project management are repeatability and predictability.

Since we wrote so much about the project management itself, we think it’s fair to dedicate some of our and your time to the process management, as well. Especially having in mind many benefits it can create:

• Gaining control of chaotic and somewhat clumsy executed processes
• Creating, mapping, analyzing, and improving business processes
• Running everyday operations more efficiently
• Comprehending bigger organizational goals
• Moving toward digital transformation
• Improving and optimizing knotted operations and actions
• Closely tracking individual items/tasks as they move through a general workflow

When left cluttered and unsystematic, poor business processes can and will lead to a disaster.

It’s not hard to understand why.

Employees (and people in general) tend to see only one part of the process. Their part, naturally. Very few have that talent to scan out and see the full picture (the effect of the processes taken) and where the potential bottlenecks do and inefficiencies lie.

The bottom line: BPM is very much needed and cherished part of the puzzle. And all you have to do (if you are directly or indirectly connected to this part of the work) is always trying to make it better. Every day.

Here are 3 key issues you should be focusing on.

1. FIND A PURPOSE OF EVERY SINGLE PROCESS

If you think that everything happens and it’s done with a purpose, it is only natural that every process that does not have a worthy purpose does not exist.

Find a purpose, continue with a process. If you can’t see it and find it, abort the action and save some money.

2. PLAN WISELY

The single most important activity of project managers is planning. It simply has to be perfect. Detailed, organized, and jointly. Don’t be afraid to plan, plan, plan, and then do some more planning. And when the circumstances change, plan some more, re-prioritize and then re-plan. Respond with agility to rising issues and changes.

Don’t be afraid to spend many office hours on planning only. And, whatever you do and however you do it, do not micromanage.

Don’t be one of those control freaks, overly analytical who invest too much time in perfecting details and planning.

Focus on achieving milestones and re-planing some more.

3. CREATE AN ENGAGEMENT FRIENDLY OFFICE

Employee engagement is essential for a successful process management system. The better the employee engagement – the more likely the process will be successfully defined, executed, improved and followed.

And to achieve that, the communication is vital. Encourage and nurture a policy of open communication. Listen carefully to every suggestion, opinion, and concern.

The most important thing is for you to understand the importance of the BPM. Do not underestimate the power of it and just allow your inner nerd to get wild!