Challenges in Implementing BPM
BPM’s or Business Performance Management systems are significantly established enough to be viewed as a proven practice. Many businesses and organisations of all sizes have had great success by implementing a BPM, but some companies who have previously resisted integrating a BPM are now looking to jump in and emulate those successes. However, without the benefit of a few precautionary steps they may face a costly situation.
The Primary Challenges
- One of the greatest challenges is to work out exactly what you require your BPM system to measure. This is something that significant time and energy must be invested into, as it is crucial to the success of the process. Even the most sophisticated software will not have all the right metrics for a specific business or company.
- You must select the correct service to suit your needs. Ensure you research the capabilities and limitations of the options to pick the one which will best integrate with your business.
- Realistic implementation: many companies are in such a rush to catch up with their competitors, they are unaware of the potential pitfalls which they have already faced when establishing their own BPM.
There is a variety of expert advice available to assist in the selection and implementation of a BPM. These can assist with the confusion which can occur when researching the BPM systems providers, as the assumption that the biggest provider is the best for all is a false one. The market has a variety of providers from leading vendors who offer comprehensive and complex packages, to smaller providers who focus on more specific verticals, or specialise in the capabilities for certain areas of BPM. Which you choose affects the functionality, performance and technology – not to mention overall cost of implementation. The simple way to overcome this challenge is to assess your requirements then use that as a basis to create a short list of providers. Each of these can be evaluated and scored to find the best candidate.
Another challenge is in the implementation of a new process within the existing workforce. A BPM requires more attention than many other software implementations, focusing on the people and processes. This can sometimes meet with some hesitation and resistance. For this reason a BPM should not follow a standard process or be integrated like any other software system. Project managers must be able to consider the individual people, roles and elements of the process; some companies prefer to confront these matters with assistance from expert consultants from outside the business.
The integration of a BPM can create a huge improvement in the productivity and efficiency of businesses, allowing the flexibility to deal with increasing customer demands and challenging economic circumstances. The use of expert consultants can ease the transition and help ensure maximum integration and success. The time taken to fully research the options, and ensure the correct product for your business is implemented, will pay huge dividends and assist in ensuring maximum effectiveness and productivity.