To understand what we are going to talk about, here are some reminders of definitions.
A process is a succession of correlated or interacting tasks/actions which, from input data (raw materials, information, equipment, etc.), produce output data (finished product, information, service, etc.).
Elementary task carried out by an actor or a tool within the process. All activity is powered by one or more suppliers. The result of the activity is then transmitted to the client.
Elements necessary to carry out the activity: this may be information, energy, raw materials, etc.
Elements produced by the activity: this can be information, product, service, etc. When the activity is not the last of the process, its output data corresponds to the input data of the activity which follows it.
The use of business processes
Unfortunately, process management does not have the reputation it deserves. Historically associated with a quality approach (which is not a bad thing), business processes tend to be shelved once schematized. Why ? Lack of knowledge of existing digital tools, ill-defined objectives, too rigid, there may even be no particular reason.
Perhaps you think that there is no formal process mapping within your department, when in reality they are just unknown.
Our goal at Iterop is to make companies understand that the process approach is an essential factor for success and improvement.
What is the benefit of formalizing business processes?
Without them, it quickly becomes a mess. A business process structures a mission, an activity, a system. It encompasses the actions to be carried out, the active or passive actors, the tools and the resources. Like your schedule, your to-do list or your notes, the processes represent the path to follow to achieve a specific objective.
Training Plan
You will have to set up a training plan that will involve actors (coach, uncle, girlfriend…), equipment (stopwatch, shoes…) and information (time, speed, distance…). Your goal will be to run a distance of 10 km but maybe with an optimal training plan you could complete the race in less than 50 minutes. This is where we integrate the idea of continuous improvement, transposed into the business environment through the practice of BPM (Business Process Management).
What is BPM ? The ultimate goal of the BPM method is therefore not only to create a perfect course but to improve it as you go. That’s why shelving your department’s action plan straight away may not be the best decision to make.
You must create a first version of your business processes and, with the help of your teams, continue to enrich it.