© Solidsoft Limited 2005 Copyright Solidsoft 2006 Business Process Management An Architectural Approach Andrew Rivers, Principal Consultant Andy James, Chief Technology Officer

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 Workshop Agenda Introductions Introductions Workshop aims Workshop aims What is BPM? What is BPM? Why adopt BPM? Why adopt BPM? Implementing BPM Implementing BPM What does a BPM architecture require? What does a BPM architecture require? What technologies are available to support BPM? What technologies are available to support BPM? Discussion Discussion

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 Introductions

Workshop Aims The aim of this workshop session is to: The aim of this workshop session is to: Outline the problem space for Business Process ManagementOutline the problem space for Business Process Management Introduce the technologies that support Business Process Management on the Microsoft Windows platformIntroduce the technologies that support Business Process Management on the Microsoft Windows platform Initiate an open discussion on how we architect Business Process Management systemsInitiate an open discussion on how we architect Business Process Management systems

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 What is BPM? Business Process Management (or BPM) refers to activities performed by organisations to manage and, if necessary, to improve their business processes* Business Process Management (or BPM) refers to activities performed by organisations to manage and, if necessary, to improve their business processes**Wikipedia In particular, BPM is commonly used as a shorthand term to refer to software systems that support BPM In particular, BPM is commonly used as a shorthand term to refer to software systems that support BPM In software terms, BPM usually refers to business processes that span organisational, enterprise and application boundaries, with data being shared between each to form a coherent process In software terms, BPM usually refers to business processes that span organisational, enterprise and application boundaries, with data being shared between each to form a coherent process

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 Why Adopt BPM? Business process management gives organisations greater control over their business processes Business process management gives organisations greater control over their business processes Greater consistency and hence higher qualityGreater consistency and hence higher quality Optimised and hence higher efficiencyOptimised and hence higher efficiency Measurable and hence better management visibilityMeasurable and hence better management visibility

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 Implementing BPM Different definitions of BPM describe different activities, but they are variations on a similar theme Different definitions of BPM describe different activities, but they are variations on a similar theme BPM is not a linear process, but an iterative process intended to produce new business processes every iteration BPM is not a linear process, but an iterative process intended to produce new business processes every iteration Improve existing processes for better efficiency or performanceImprove existing processes for better efficiency or performance Change existing processes to adapt to business changeChange existing processes to adapt to business change Create new business processes to respond to new opportunitiesCreate new business processes to respond to new opportunities

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 Implementing BPM - Activities BPM is often seen as a means of process improvement, with an organisation making iterative improvements in its operation. BPM is often seen as a means of process improvement, with an organisation making iterative improvements in its operation. The following activities are performed in each iteration: The following activities are performed in each iteration: Process designProcess design Process executionProcess execution Process monitoringProcess monitoring

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 Process Design This is where the business processes are designed and any supporting software systems are developed This is where the business processes are designed and any supporting software systems are developed Capture existing processes and develop software to underpin Capture existing processes and develop software to underpin Develop new business processes Develop new business processes Test new processes, by simulation or by system testing Test new processes, by simulation or by system testing

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 Process Execution The process is run operationally, i.e. the application, workflow and integration technology is in place and running The process is run operationally, i.e. the application, workflow and integration technology is in place and running Information on the running of the process is captured Information on the running of the process is captured

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 Process Monitoring The process information that is captured is used to manage the operation of the process The process information that is captured is used to manage the operation of the process Control mechanisms are in place to optimise the process based on current state Control mechanisms are in place to optimise the process based on current state

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 What Does a BPM Architecture Require? A BPM architecture contains different components depending on the stage of the BPM cycle A BPM architecture contains different components depending on the stage of the BPM cycle Process designProcess design Process executionProcess execution Process monitoringProcess monitoring

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 Process Design Process design tools Process design tools Process simulation and modelling Process simulation and modelling System development tools System development tools

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 Process Execution System / process automation and integration System / process automation and integration Human workflow Human workflow Task-specific software applications Task-specific software applications

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 Process Monitoring Business Activity Monitoring Business Activity Monitoring Capture key information relating to process executionCapture key information relating to process execution Trigger control actions when activities are outside limitsTrigger control actions when activities are outside limits Reporting tools Reporting tools Business scorecards / dashboards Business scorecards / dashboards

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 Enterprise Architecture Approach BPM systems span enterprise and application boundaries BPM systems span enterprise and application boundaries Focus on ensuring the technology platform supports the BPM requirements Focus on ensuring the technology platform supports the BPM requirements Understand the information that is used between steps in the process Understand the information that is used between steps in the process Define process flowDefine process flow Define integration / service interfacesDefine integration / service interfaces Define process measurementsDefine process measurements Define control mechanismsDefine control mechanisms

Copyright Solidsoft 2006 Discussion

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