Working BPM into the company

Getting the full benefit of deploying a BPM tool requires that the organization change the way they do changes to business processes.

Changes no longer require large projects involving detailed specification, development and changes in core business applications – as well as thorough user and regression testing.
Because much of the business logic now resides outside of the core systems, changes can be done by business users. They still need to be tested, of course, before deployment, but this is now a much simpler task – involving fewer people and less technical resources.

In order to gain the efficiency effects of this technology, the organization needs to make some changes to roles and responsibilities. And some training might also be required.

Here are the roles affected by this way-of-work, and their main responsibilities:

Role Responsibilities Comments
Process owner Understands company and business “DNA”, and uses this to ensure effective process operation.
Deciding process flow and rules.
Monitoring day-to-day activity and performance.		 Is the business user responsible for a given process.
Typically line managers in a department/business area.
CEO Business responsible.
Sponsor for implementing a BPM way-of-work.
Monitors business effects and process performance.
Process participants Executing process tasks according to work role, rules and process tolls.
Suggest changes and improvements to process flow, rules and interfaces.
Participate in testing new/changed processes.		 These are the day-to-day users living and performing work tasks to complete business processes.
IT Install and configure products.
Keep BPM tools and business applications available and operational.
Technical setup of integrations.
Monitor system activity and performance.
System owners Provide guidelines to interactions between business process and backend system.
Guide in best practice for integration and data communication.		 Persons responsible for a given business application.
Can be internal or from external vendors/consultant.
Process designer Designing and building process flow, including rules and user interfaces.
Preparing test scenarios.
Governing test activity.
Responsible for deploy to production.		 This role is often split between a business user and a technical product specialist.
Technical specialist can be from an external partner.
Interaction designer Understanding how to best communicate with process participants.
Design user interfaces and information content tailored at user roles and functions throughout the process.
Developer Provide add-on functionality that cannot be solved by standard product features.
Build custom integration modules to local systems/applications.		 Can be internal or from external vendors/consultant.
Process operator Monitors process execution activity and provides reports and insight into trends and bottlenecks.
Suggest changes and improvements.
Citizen developer Business users who creates new business applications for consumption by others. Provides process input and builds prototype, reflecting user perspective and market requirements.

A Governance model is required to ensure efficient collaboration in process automation activities.
Organizations need to build and implement company guidelines for interaction and information flow that utilizes the power of all roles involved in process improvement.

Apendo has long experience in helping organizations implement BPM technology.

  • Our technical consultants can take responsibility for all aspects of product implementation and process development.

  • Our advisors can help your organization understand and get familiar with the roles and responsibilities involved in growing your business through process automation.