BUSINESS PROCESS MODELING: Definition, Top Software, Course & Certification

Business Process Modeling
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The act of diagrammatically depicting business processes is known as business process modeling. These diagrams, which show the inputs, outputs, and tasks that make up a process, are often in the form of flowcharts. It is frequently employed as a technique to boost productivity or optimize a process. Models of business processes are developed using business process modeling. These models can be applied to boost process efficiency, record operations for compliance or audit needs, or replicate processes to try out improvements. This post tells more about the definition of business process modeling, examples of its software, and its certification course.

Business Process Modeling

Process modeling is one of a business’s most crucial components. A model’s main function is to capture a system or process’s essential characteristics and functionality in a condensed form. A process model can thus be employed for a variety of tasks, including comprehending, identifying, redesigning, and enhancing processes. BPMN is, therefore, a graphical notation useful in business process management applications to model business processes. The notation, which models the data and control flow in a business process, is based on the flowcharting technique. Organizations can gain a lot from business process modelings, such as increased productivity, agility, and effectiveness; lower costs; and better organizational learning.

Types of Business Process Modeling

#1. Structured

This kind of model internal organizational processes using a top-down methodology. This method bases the modeling of the processes on the organizational structure.

#2. Unstructured

This kind of model internal organizational processes from the bottom up. In this method, you represent this processes using the actual organizational process flow.

#3. Hybrid

This kind of model internal organizational processes by combining top-down and bottom-up methodologies.

How Important is Business Process Modeling?

Business process modeling is crucial for several reasons. Organizations may find it useful to comprehend and record their business processes. This knowledge can be useful to spot inefficiencies and areas for development. The development of a common language and understanding inside an organization can also aid in communication and collaboration. Finally, it can aid in laying the groundwork for programs aimed at process improvement.

How to Implement Business Process Modeling?

There are numerous methods for modeling business processes that can be useful, it includes:

#1. Use of Flowcharts

This method thus depicts a process graphically, outlining the various steps that are involved. A flowchart can also be useful to organize a process or project, outline the processes in the resolution of a difficult problem, or list the components of a machine or design. These diagrams can hence, be in existence using BPA tools or flowchart software and sharing it with various stakeholders to get input.

#2. Process Mapping

This method provides a more in-depth picture of a process by highlighting the precise inputs and outputs at every stage. Process mapping is thus a great tool for visualizing processes and looking for areas for improvement in the data. Additionally, it demonstrates how particular inputs result in particular outputs, which can be in the application as a step in a quality control process.

#3. Process Modeling

This process illustration, therefore, illustrates the connections between several processes in a more abstract way. Process modeling thus illustrates the connections between various steps in a process in a more abstract way. You can represent process modeling by the process flowchart.

#4. Simulation.

Using this method, firms can test several process scenarios to determine how they’d turn out. The most efficient way to evaluate a process before it is put into practice in the real world is through process simulation. Using this method, firms can test several process scenarios to determine how they’d turn out. It can be applied to a wide range of formats, including matrices, graphs, and charts with a wide range of variables.

#5. Optimization

This method thus considers how to make a process more effective. A practice called optimization constantly seeks to increase a process’s efficacy. This can be accomplished by making design, production, and material advancements. A processor design that has been optimized, for instance, might have fewer logic gates or greater cache memory.

These are the Six Advantages of Business Process Modeling:

#1. Enhanced Effectiveness

The capacity to improve business process efficiency is thus one of the most significant advantages. Businesses can find inefficiencies and bottlenecks and develop ways to increase performance by modeling their business processes.

#2. Increased Conversation

The enhanced communication that results from the modeling and sharing of business processes across many stakeholders is another advantage. By establishing a shared language and comprehension of the process, business process modeling helps enhance communication between staff members, managers, and other stakeholders.

#3. Improvement in Decision Making

It can assist decision-makers in determining the potential effects of process modifications and in making decisions about efforts for process improvement.

#4. Higher Quality

Organizations are able to spot possibilities for quality enhancement and create solutions to get the quality levels they want.

#5. Enhanced Client Satisfaction

All businesses want to increase customer happiness, and doing so is one of the main advantages of business process modeling since it enables businesses to create processes that cater to the needs and expectations of their target audiences.

#6. Lower Costs

By increasing the efficacy and efficiency of processes, business process modeling (BPM) can be useful to lower expenses. Organizations can use it to find process inefficiencies and bottlenecks, then create and put into practice solutions to enhance process performance.

Business Process Modeling Software Examples 

Business process modeling examples of the software include:

#1. SIPOC Diagrams

One tool useful in the Six Sigma process is the SIPOC diagram. Bill Smith, an American engineer, developed Six Sigma in 1986. It also offers a number of methods and tools for process improvement. A SIPOC diagram is one of these tools for representing business processes.

The abbreviation SIPOC aids stakeholders in recognizing the essential components of a process at the outset. In SIPOC, the letter “s” stands for suppliers. the input symbol (‘i’). The ‘p’ stands for the process that you want to enhance. the output symbol (‘o’). And the “c” stands for the customers who are to receive the results. Each letter of the acronym is normally written at the head of a column in table style when finishing a SIPOC diagram. The important components in each category are then listed by the stakeholders.

#2. UML Diagrams

Unified Modeling Language, or UML, diagrams were created by software engineers but have since grown to be one of the most useful tools for modeling business processes. UML was developed to offer a standardized approach to software program analysis, design, and implementation.

There are roughly 14 different types of UML diagrams, and several of them can be useful to depict business processes. These diagrams can be divided into two main groups: structural diagrams and behavioral diagrams. While behavioral diagrams concentrate on a process’s actors and various components, structural diagrams study a process’s structure. Activity diagrams are the most popular type of behavioral diagram. They are useful to show how various processes flow. Using case diagrams and interaction overview diagrams are two more prevalent types. Class diagrams, object diagrams, and component diagrams are examples of structural UML diagrams that are often useful.

#3. BPMN Process Maps

Process maps created using BPMN, or Business Process Modeling Notation, are essentially an extension of UML. But unlike UML, BPMN was developed specifically to offer a standardized framework for business process modeling. The BPMN method essentially uses flow charts to show every stage of a business process. One of its advantages is its adaptability, which enables stakeholders to produce diagrams that have a variety of functions.

BPMN diagrams, for instance, can be useful to give stakeholders a comprehensive perspective of a process. They can also be useful to produce extremely thorough diagrams that offer useful direction to the parties in charge of carrying out tasks. A standardized system of elements and symbols is useful to accomplish this.

#4. Gantt Charts

Compared to the other techniques covered above for business process modeling, Gantt charts are typically useful less. Gantt Charts were created more than a century ago, and since then, more advanced business process modeling tools have appeared. Simple diagrams called Gantt charts help visualize the amount of time needed to complete particular tasks. Gantt charts, for instance, display a process’s beginning and end times as well as the length of time it takes to complete each step. Gantt diagrams are therefore perfect for time-sensitive procedures. They demonstrate to stakeholders when specific tasks should start and end as well as whether processes are progressing according to plan. Gantt charts, however, are not ideal for intricate corporate procedures.

Business Process Modeling Certification Course

The certification business process modeling programs listed below provide both online instruction and in-person course at nearby educational facilities. In addition to being given in person and online, tests. You can download and watch lectures at your own leisure in most classes that offer video on demand.

#1. ABPMP International

The following courses are available: Certified Business Process Leader (CBPL), Certified Business Process Leader Associate (CBPA), and Certified Business Process Professional (CBPP).

Requirements:

  • CBPA. Four-year degree from an accredited university or 1,250 hours of verified work experience in a field related to business processes; complete application; pass exam; and agree to the ABPMP Code of Ethics.
  • CBPP: four years of experience in business processes, six months of credit for prior certifications, application completion, and exam success.
  • 10 years of expertise in business processes, five years of experience managing business transformation projects, CBPP certification, six months of credit for other certifications, application completion, and exam passing are all requirements for the CBPL.

#2. Six Sigma Belts

Information on the course(s) offered: Six Sigma proficiency levels are graded using colored belts similar to those useful in martial arts. Black, green, and yellow belts are available. Green belt training is not required for those with white or yellow belts. A minimum score of 70% is also needed on the online or in-person exam.

#3.  ITIL 4 Foundation

ITIL Foundation, ITIL Specialist, ITIL Strategist, ITIL Leader, and ITIL Master are the available course(s).

#4. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

10 online courses are available for you to take at your own pace. 7,500 hours of business analysis job experience in the previous ten years, of which 900 hours should have been in four of the six knowledge domains listed in the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge Guide Version 3. A minimum of 35 hours of professional development over the previous four years is also required.

#5. Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP)

Information on the course(s) offered: 20 hours of CPD, with a maximum of 50% of unstructured/nontraditional learning activities that have been approved by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy or another legally recognized state body. CPAs seeking education and expertise in IT assurance, risk, security and privacy, analytics, and technology in order to bridge the gap between business and technology.

#6. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

Information on the course(s) offered: 150–170 suggested study hours for each of the two components. Planning and budgeting, performance analysis and management, investment choices, and financial reporting are all included in the study. The average completion time for both portions is 12 to 18 months, with a maximum completion time of three years. 150–170 hours of study per section are advised. two-part test with 12 competencies is also available.

What Is Business Process Modelling in Project Management?

By providing data-driven visual representations of the most important business processes, business process modeling provides organizations with an easy approach to comprehending and optimizing workflows.

What Is the BPM Lifecycle?

Process design, modeling, execution, monitoring, and optimization make up the five stages of the BPM lifecycle.

What Are the 6 Principles of Modelling?

Form, detail, scale, adaption, reuse, and surface quality are the six modeling principles that, whether you’re a novice or a master, will enable you to better your work and prevent some of the difficulties that can frequently arise while modeling something new.

References 

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