Organizations that automate business processes without first considering their efficiency may accomplish little more than making mistakes faster.
The correct approach is to evaluate the business processes before investing heavily in the IT systems that automate those processes. This task originated in the 1990s as business process reengineering, but is also known as functional process improvement, business process redesign and business process analysis.
Whatever the label, the philosophy is basically the same: the organization that deploys systems on a solid business process foundation is more likely to (1) solve the business problem it intended to address, and (2) obtain the greatest return on its technology investment.
Getting started with business process analysis means asking yourself some pointed questions. Whether you pursue this analysis on your own or working with a consultant, here are five important questions you should consider.
