Managing your processes to meet the challenges posed by both business and data: how to choose the best BPM software for your organisation
How to choose the BPM (Business Process Management) software best suited to your organisation without overlooking any key aspects ?
How can BPM be summarised ?
There are three functions essential to process management that form the basis of Business Process Management software.
- Graphics-based modelling to represent the full sequence of functional tasks forming a business process
- Automation to ensure tasks are in the right order, to collect and update data, and delegate simple jobs to the machine
- Monitoring to provide a complete picture of the organisation and quickly identify any sources of error, bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
In addition to these three aspects, the contribution made by such a solution also includes the capacity for continuous improvement in processes
Which are the crucial criteria when choosing a BPM system ?
Certain basic BPM features are must-haves to be sure that the solution can be quickly implemented to best effect. The following points should definitely not be overlooked :
Software that is straightforward to use
Easy complete integration into the information system
Flexibility and upgradeability
This is achieved through features and approaches such as:
- Low code and intuitive graphics-based modelling using drag-and-drop
- Use of the BPMN 2.0 standard
- Pre-designed process models available
- Automated routing, warnings, delegation of tasks, etc
- Automatisation du routage, des alertes, délégation…
To be effective, the solution needs to:
- Be truly part of the IS to strengthen process & data interoperability
- Offer a supervision console
- Combine readily with other data transport and evaluation toolkits
To be successfully adopted by all concerned over the long term, the BPM system ideally should:
- Offer responsive platforms and screens across various devices
- Take into account changes in processes and allow them to be updated efficiently
- Standardise usage over the long term
Implementing the BPM system itself should be an uncomplicated process. All users need to be able to become familiar with it quickly, supported by a template library, accelerating the development of new services driven by changes in the organisation, and therefore ensuring it can respond to change.
What about ancillary functions ?
Additional modules can supplement the BPM system depending on requirements. Simulation tools and deployment of collaboration platforms are two possible contributions to the development of “augmented processes” and the real-time enrichment of workflows.
They are an excellent response to special or industry-specific needs such as setting up a supplier portal, to give one example. However, any organisation can implement them to facilitate the involvement of the business and buy-in of the solution both internally and also externally among the wider ecosystem (suppliers, customers, partners, etc.).
Over and above the choice of a BPM system, consider the data lifecycle as a whole
Why is it preferable to examine the full picture for data in addition to BPM ?
Better orchestration of your data flows and processes means first and foremost gaining a wider perspective of how data moves and is shared and manipulated in the organisation. A BPM solution should make it possible to coordinate the technical and strategic viewpoints, failing which the target could easily be missed.
The ultimate objective of BPM is to meet the need to optimise processes and to convey data efficiently and cross-functionally as required. Data’s journey does not, after all, stop at data modelling or at automation, so it is better to also ensure that applications both old and new, and therefore the relevant functional business areas, receive the data they need. The idea that processes are truly part of the information system is one we hold dear at Blueway
What are the main aspects of data to be taken into account ?
Successfully transporting and using data is easier if all facets of data are considered :
Data traffic orchestration
and the inclusion of the human element in processes
Routing of data interchanges
and control over flows within the IS
Data accuracy
and real-time updates
By adopting this three-fold approach, governance is put in place not only for processes, but also for data and traffic. A full picture of the data constantly travelling around the IS is then obtained, along with the ability to correct and improve the existing system.
Blueway’s platform approach, to sustain a comprehensive view of data
It is this belief that guides Blueway’s approach, and has resulted in our designing a comprehensive platform incorporating two further modules besides BPM.
Process Governance for complete process management…
Process Governance is the Blueway module entirely dedicated to handling processes, covering the crucial points mentioned earlier, including:
- Compliance with the BPMn 2.0 standard, to standardise processing, easily import existing processes, administrate permissions, etc.
- Drag-and-drop interface to enable rapid process modelling
- Inclusion of the human element in hybrid processes
- Portal generation so users gain familiarity with the system more quickly
- Full set of management functions: automated process documentation, timelines and monitoring…
Process Governance provides its users with a full toolkit to model, orchestrate and enhance processes over time, free of any technical constraints.
… plus two other modules to fully manage the data lifecycle and data traffic
Within our platform approach, we have designed and incorporated two further solutions in the form of ESB (the Data Foundation) and MDM (Data Governance). Combined with BPM, these modules can be used to entirely re-engineer data interchanges and ensure their accuracy at any given moment.
These modules ensure the interoperability of data and processes, and that the various functional business areas have all the data they need in real time. As the main BPM stakeholders and intended recipients of the data in question, functional departments are freed from technical concerns and can focus on their core business.
Executive Vice President Product
A technical and functional expert, Edouard has specialized in IS urbanization and data governance for almost 20 years. A man of action, he supports customers in their projects with his teams, and doesn’t hesitate to use their feedback to shape the product roadmap and gain agility.
