An Introduction to Business Processes

Business processes are key in today's global economy, but there remains plenty of confusion when discussing and using them. To provide some clarity, we have outlined what business processes are, why they are important, and how they can be used to improve your business practices.

What is a business process?

A business process is a series of structured actions performed by a group of people or machines to achieve a particular goal. Each action signifies a task that is designated to an individual or team. It is the primary building block for several other ideas such as business process management (BPM), workflow management, etc.

Why are business processes important?

Business processes offer companies numerous advantages over competitors. They offer a lifeline for larger companies that aim to streamline individual tasks to increase productivity, increase efficiency, and maximize resource usage. BPM software is an example of a business process that can automate processes such as monitoring and controlling company costs and make everyday tasks more efficient.

Reasons to have well-defined business processes

• Improve communication between people/departments
• Improve efficiency and productivity
• Identify what tasks are essential to reaching your larger business goals
• Better collaboration capabilities
• Optimize resource usage
• Ensure smooth operating activities and prevent confusion from entering your workplace
• Introduce a set of simple procedures that allow you to reach your goals
  

Basic steps of the business process lifecycle

Step 1: Outline your goals 

Why do you need this process?

Step 2: Plan your process

How will you achieve your goals?

Step 3: Assign tasks to employees 

Recognize what steps employees/ stakeholders need to perform to accomplish the plan.

Step 4: Test the process

See how the process performs on a small scale, pay attention to any problems, and make adjustments.

Step 5: Implement the process

Roll out the process in a live environment, train all involved employees/stakeholders properly.

Step 6: Monitor the results.

Analyze the process and make necessary changes. Note the process history.

Step 7: Repeat

If the process reaches the predefined goal, repeat for future processes.

Why use Business Process Software?

BPM applications are produced to improve the efficiency of processes within an organization's hierarchy. Using BPM software offers the user multiple benefits such as:

Risk Reduction

BPM Software increases the efficiency of the process and helps eliminate errors that hinder productivity, thus minimizing risk.

Advanced Collaboration

BPM software allows simple collaboration practices between internal and external stakeholders because of the transparency offered. Each individual involved in the process is aware of their tasks, what steps are needed, deadlines, and any problems that arise during the process. They can also share documents and communicate during the project.

Enhanced Productivity

Once processes are operating correctly, information and communication flow quicker. Information can be retrieved easier without human interaction, automated processes benefit users significantly and increase the productivity of teams.

Redundancies Removal

Users can track processes, allowing for easy identification and elimination of duplicate tasks. BPM software ensures human effort is applied to relevant tasks.

Agility 

Optimized processes offer great agility in an organization's day-to-day operations. By duplicating processes users will minimize errors, improve information sharing, and experience quicker turnaround times.

Limit Resource Wastage

Business processes highlight any unnecessary resource wastage. This allows a business to minimize costs and improve savings.

Improved Efficiency

Extensive dashboards, timelines, and task managers included in BPM software provides an overview of process execution. Managers can view progress in real-time, monitor processes, and calculate whether the process has met the outlined goal. This allows for smoother collaboration and turnaround times.

Business Processes Examples 

The majority of businesses today are already using or considering automation to improve workflow management within the workplace.

The common business user now has the ability to design their own workflows and achieve excellent, consistent results from common workplace processes.

For example, Hailer has made it simple to create your own workflows, with no coding skills needed. The below examples outline Hailer's capabilities when it comes to business process management and workflows.

Hailer offers users 4 basic templates for workflows, specific workflows, plus customizable options. The basic templates are:

• Sales
• Recruiting 
• Project Management
• Tasks

User Cases Examples

Create Tasks 

In the workplace, tasks are generally assigned via email. While this is normal it can result in confusion, miscommunication, and missed tasks. Workflow automation can improve project management, say goodbye to cluttered inboxes and lengthy email threads. Hailer automatically compiles all necessary documents, info, and messages related to the project and puts them in one place, making them easier to find. Create a set of tasks related to a bigger goal, what actions are needed to achieve the goal, and what individuals are needed to achieve the outlined goal.

Incident Reports

As mentioned above Hailer's workflows compile all necessary items related to the task in one place. This is especially important when dealing with third parties. Rather than sharing countless emails, a third party can be invited to the workflow, share necessary information, communicate, and leave once their part has been completed. Incidents are reported and dealt with from start to finish promptly rather than lengthy email threads between involved parties. 

Manage Leads

Managing leads can be challenging, especially if your business has hundreds or thousands of leads. Automation of this process can help identify which leads to target, and organize them in an orderly fashion from the beginning to the end of the sales process. 

The listed examples are just a few of the business processes that workflows can assist. Creating automated workflows is only limited by imagination, with Hailer users can create endless amounts of automated workflows and processes, build it just the way you want it.

Create your own business processes

When performed correctly, business processes put your organization on the path to success. Each individual has a clear role within the process. Responsibilities are easily distributed and shared within the process, allowing each team member to have a clear image of the goal, and the actions that are needed to reach it.

Hailer can create a business process in minutes. It is an uncomplicated platform that requires zero coding experience. Hailer offers users a variety of business processes that are customizable to your needs. Check it out and see how simple creating your own business processes is!