Business Process Management (BPM) is discussed widely, but many people struggle to grasp what this solution does. The ability for a business to quickly and efficiently access data and use it is critical to productivity.
That’s where BPM comes in — it helps users find the right information, at the right time so nothing falls through the cracks. Considering the amount of data most companies accumulate daily, it’s an amazing benefit. In fact, Forbes compared BPM software to the similarities of a GPS. This application doesn’t give you the information; it shows you where the information is and how to use it. Like a GPS system doesn’t change the road, it simply maps you the best path to your destination.
A great BPM software can help you close all the gaps. It makes file cabinets veritably obsolete. It promotes real-time information across departments. But it’s not a magic pill. The only way these benefits can be attained is if you understand and use the capabilities of your BPM to the fullest.
Of course, it can be hard to adapt to change. Employees get comfortable with set protocols, and it can take time to adopt new systems. But the bottom line is — if you want to reap the rewards of increased productivity, you need to implement your new BPM system effectively.
Here are some tips to get you started.
1. CHOOSE A LEAD PERSON
Your BPM should be easy to use. It should offer all of the support you need to be able to master the functions. But it’s still a new system that your employees will need to learn. It’s a good idea to choose a lead person on staff who’s charged with learning the system inside and out. Depending on the size of your company, this task may fall on multiple people, so each department has an expert on staff. This offers the benefit that staff members always have someone to turn to if they have a question, or are interested in updating their department’s document workflow.
2. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TRAINING ACTIVITIES
Your software vendor likely offers training activities for staff. These activities might include on-site training when you implement a new BPM system and other options, such as webinars and education materials. Often, you’ll find excellent articles devoted to giving you tips on how to best use their individual functions for your organizational needs. These resources should be used by staff to help master BPM workflows and streamline efficiency.
3. MAKE IT A COMPANY-WIDE INITIATIVE
Many companies have different protocols in each department. Larger companies might even have a difference of corporate culture in separate departments. To use your BPM effectively, it’s important that all departments use the same protocols. This way, there’s real-time information at your fingertips, at all times.
4. TAKE TIME TO REVIEW AND REWRITE PROTOCOLS
Before you implement BPM, it’s important to consider what processes you’re trying to streamline. You’ll want to take a very close look at what the current document processes are across the organization. How does this new BPM system help the current protocol? In many cases, BPM will help eliminate human errors and make data entry far less time-consuming. In larger companies, there are often many workflow activities that are unnecessarily repeated. Document actions might be doubled and tripled. By taking a good inventory of the current document workflow in each department, you can redesign the steps for far greater processing accuracy and efficiency, while cutting out needless man hours to improve employee satisfaction.
KEEPING CONNECTED THROUGH DATA
Your BPM system helps keep every member of your team connected. It can eliminate errors caused by miss-keyed data. It can help employees locate information in a fraction of the time that it might take with paper documentation. Other benefits include increased security and routine automation of the process to maintain regulatory compliance alongside business rules.
Technology has allowed companies to gather massive amounts of data. This means that you have a better advantage in marketing, billing and productivity — if you can tap into that data effectively. Your BPM system is designed to help you access the information you need, when you need it. But like any type of technology, it can only function well if it’s used correctly. Give your company the advantages of business process management software today!