What’s BPM? Business Process Management explained simply

1. Design
In a first step, the already existing processes are analyzed. In addition, certain goals are defined that are supposed to be achieved as a result of business process management (BPM).

2. Modeling
In the modeling phase, the company selects new processes in order to describe them individually according to its own requirements and to define target processes on this basis.

3. Execution
The modeled business processes are recorded and documented. Afterwards, they are implemented in a process model, published in the internal IT system and executed.

4. Monitoring
In this phase, the processes are continuously monitored and analyzed. A data-based comparison of the actual processes with the modeled target specifications reveals optimization potential. Only those who have a precise knowledge of the potentials and critical points of their processes can derive solutions as well as exact measures and implement them efficiently.

5. Optimization
Based on the insights gained, improvement measures are then carried out on the processes and the target definitions implemented. With classic process optimization concepts such as Kaizen or Six Sigma, the main aim is to monitor and continuously improve throughput times, cost efficiency, error rates and other key performance indicators, for example by automating or linking processes.

With the adjustments to the processes, a new design phase begins – the BPM lifecycle closes and the control loop starts again. Only if the processes run through this control loop completely and all phases of the entire life cycle are taken into account, it is possible to measure progress and continuously improve the individual processes.