Business process modeling software, a subset of business process management (BPM) software, focuses on the advanced systematic process of improving a company in terms of efficiency, effectivity and adaptability. This is achieved by enabling users to easily model and represent the operational processes within an organization.
Primarily, these solutions help users to create workflows within organizations and monitor processes so they can be improved. They also make it easier to take note of bottlenecks, errors and inconsistencies through visual representations. As a result, business analysts can then provide the company with interpretations and expertise regarding which models can be used to upgrade existing processes.
BPM software solutions, on the other hand, are fully-fledged systems structured to help businesses go beyond process design by providing management with the ability to entirely control and execute the processes and workflows of their organization. Businesses often make use of BPM solutions to lessen disorganization and clutter within operational processes as well as to align their company functions and goals with customer needs.
KiSSFLOW is a fully-fledged BPM solution with advanced modeling capabilities. The solution makes the creation of process workflows a simple task, even for non-technical users.
Business process management software has four core aspects: modeling, automating, managing and optimization. The software begins with modeling in which processes are mapped out to measure the time and cost needed for execution, which is the focus of business process modeling solutions. Second is automating where data is gathered in forms and then transferred to third-party applications, shifting from a manual process to an electronic one. The third is managing in which insight is gained from the processes involved. Lastly, optimization is the process of constantly improving and making your organization more efficient.
As such, business process modeling software provides a solution to redundant tasks and inconsistencies that hold up the workflow of an organization. This is generally achieved through BPMN (business process modeling notation), a flow chart method designed to represent the steps of a planned and organized business process from beginning to end. These solutions, therefore, make use of flow charts, activities and gateways. The current version of this method, however, is BPMN 2.0., which has four element types in business process diagrams: flow objects, connecting objects, swim lanes and artifacts.
Another alternative method involves UML (unified modeling language). This refers to a general-purpose modeling language in the field of software engineering and includes a set of graphic notation techniques to create visual representations of object-oriented and software-intensive systems. UML, however, makes use of 14 types of diagrams while BPMN focuses solely on business processes modeling. Furthermore, Gantt charts, despite being relatively simple, can still also be used in business process modeling solutions as they provide a structured and scheduled flow of plans.
Overall, the various modeling techniques involved in business process modeling solutions provide an automated business tool that helps design, model, implement and analyze the process flow of the business. What’s more, several of these processes can be studied simultaneously by dedicated BPM software. These processes pertain to account management, compliance management, customer requests, employee onboarding, expense reporting, invoice management, loan origination and project management.
KissFlow, a Promapp alternative, is one of the leading workflow management solutions with over thousands of companies endorsed to its services. It’s a prime example of a fully-fledged BPM system that features extensive modeling capabilities. It offers 45 pre-installed modeling applications, which cover travel reimbursements, vacation requests, employee onboarding and more. With this in mind, the key features of business process modeling software which make it an effective and efficient business tool include:
Managing processes and functions of the business can be made easier with the help of business process modeling software. A process map of your business’ organizational flow helps in managing events and activities that are set with certain categories and schedules. Pointing out the error in judgment or inconsistencies decreases the chances of losing valuable time that would be otherwise spent fixing these mistakes. Through this core feature, cost reductions can also be maximized. It also provides for growth, manages changes and helps execute an integrated business strategy.
A business rules engine is a type of system that designs business rules and conditions for each business process. This helps in maintaining the quality of work being processed by the organization. It also regulates company policies and operational rules within the workplace, ensuring compliance.
As aforementioned, several business process modeling techniques can be used for business process modeling, depending on which suits your business or specific processes better. A few models include BPMN, UML diagrams, Gantt charts, flow charts, PERT diagrams, Function Flow Block diagrams, Integrated Definition for Function Modeling and Petri Nets and Colored Petri Nets. Most of them have the same core functions and features but provide slight differences and capabilities based on the use-case. With a variety of techniques in hand, it can help in providing better and differentiated visual presentations of business processes.
Business process modeling software often also facilitates collaboration amongst the employees of an organization. It does this by enabling communication-centered activities such as decision management, idea management and discussion threads within the workflow of a company. Through this, better decisions and efficient planning can take place, leading to overall communication and productivity improvements for the business.
Other than having visual maps catered to your business workflow, BPM software enables reduced costs, increased accountability, improved work agility and enhanced customer satisfaction. By having workflow maps to approach any specific process, you can minimize errors and discrepancies related to each individual element in the diagram. These visualizations, therefore, help in gaining better insights into all of the projects and actions made by a company.
What is also accomplished by business process modeling software is the facilitation of easier communication and collaboration. It sets and reinforces standards and provides sufficient details into the sequences of each process followed by the organization. Overall, through these efficient business process modeling solutions, you can better manage the company by focusing on each of the minor details that make up central business processes.