The "process framework" is a tool that has really proven itself in helping organisations within specific vertical markets implement Business Process Management (BPM) solutions far quicker and much more accurately than has previously been the case.
A process framework is, in essence, a set of process templates provided by the BPM vendor, or third-party solution provider, for a specific industry - comprising of tried and tested, world-class, industry best practice processes.
Process frameworks are typically available in vertical industries where generic processes are the norm, such as the banking, insurance or mobile and fixed line telecommunications industries. Examples of such frameworks include insurance claims, home loan applications, telco order management and government licensing and registrations.
However, it is recognised that although processes in a specific industry are very similar across organisations, they are never exactly the same. Consequently, the processes are supplied as graphical process maps which provide 80 percent of the solution requirements, based on past experience, but can be modified to match the company`s uniqueness - with "integration hooks" being supplied to cater for the tailoring required to integrate the individual customer`s legacy systems.
Power of BPM
Process frameworks can provide substantial benefits for both the vendor and its customers.
Although processes in a specific industry are very similar across organisations, they are never exactly the same.
Mark Ehmke, MD Staffware
From a vendor`s perspective, process frameworks demonstrates the power of BPM without needing to prove the concept to each and every prospect. In many cases, prospects are frightened by the sheer magnitude of the task at hand when faced with implementing BPM. They hear of the huge returns on investment being obtained from successful BPM implementations, but are daunted by the prospect of changing their organisation to become process-centric and the possibility of having to modify the very core of their existing enterprise architecture.
The process framework delivers all the promised benefits of BPM in a fraction of the time that is required to build the processes from scratch, while it simultaneously and automatically establishes the groundwork for building the independent process layer so necessary for successful BPM architectures.
Process frameworks can also be viable alternatives to business process outsourcing (BPO).
The strong re-usability element of process frameworks mean that they are also very applicable to a third party outsourcing scenario. Third party outsourcers can take a particular repeatable, non-core process away from the business and do this independently - such as the billing function, for instance. It is not necessary for them to `reinvent the wheel` for each and every implementation done in any given vertical industry.
EDS and Abbey National have done this extremely successfully when they jointly set up the largest external mortgage processing facility in Europe.
Channel expansion
Another area in which Process Frameworks can prove very useful to vendors is in the expansion of their partner channel.
Partners generally do not yet have the same experience and expertise within certain vertical industries that the vendors themselves have. Having access to the proven track record and best practices of the process frameworks goes a long way to ensuring the success of the implementations for which they are responsible. From a customer`s perspective, the process framework drastically reduces the risk associated with a partner-led BPM implementation. Other benefits include far less disruption due to massive time-saving on the implementation, which ultimately leads to improved operational efficiencies and a quicker delivery of return-on-investment.
This could be particularly pertinent to the expansion of BPM into the African continent, where custom-built applications by developers located remotely are justifiably viewed with scepticism. The process framework approach will allow partners skilled in the industry, but short on BPM skills to supply a ready-made solution that will work with a minimum of effort, but still provide the flexibility for future tailoring and expansion.
Staffware co-sponsors ITWeb`s Workflow portal. Workflow applications originally set out to automate routing of documents to the users responsible for working on them. They have now become "glueware" by evolving into underlying business operating systems. Click here to find out more.
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