Improving Business Processes

Business Process Management (BPM) pertains to managing processes from start to end - from the time they are conceived till the time they are put into coffin. Business processes are the building blocks for how work is planned and carried out in the business world. A business process is a set of inter-related activities which are linked in a certain sequence to deliver the highest value in terms of the overall business outcome. The various activities in a business process require different kinds of resources at various stages in the process. Improving business processes is the most important element of managing a process. In today's business world, improving business processes on an ongoing basis is a key requirement for business organizations to create and retain competitive edge. Improving business processes typically involves the following: Define the target business outcome of the process Determine the achieved business outcome of the process Ascertain the deviation between the achieved and the target business outcome Take appropriate action, if the deviation is significant.