Take a "Process-Centric" Approach to Requests for New Products and Services

From Business Process Management (BPM), by Elizabeth Larson, PMP, and Richard Larson, PMP, Co-Principals, Watermark Learning, Inc.

In order to respond to today's rapidly changing business environment, it is essential to understand the business context that surrounds requests for new products, services, and software. To effectively manage your business processes, you need to focus on the five phases of a process' lifecycle.

1) Identify
Think about the hierarchy of your organization, who the stakeholders are and how you can ensure that business vision and strategy tie into the organization's processes. Identify and map out existing processes and decide which ones should be analyzed first, prioritizing those processes that have the highest value and are within scope.

2) Define
Once you have identified your organization's current processes and have determined which should be analyzed first, you should work on defining and mapping out each individual process. Process definition works best when done in two phases: first, frame each process to establish boundaries as well as identify the stakeholders involved. Then, once the foundation is laid, complete the details of what is done, by whom, and in what order by mapping the process.

3) Refine
Often, people are tempted to dive in and start improving processes and creating the future before adequately understanding their current state. By starting with a documented framework and visual layout of each process, it is easier to identify the problem areas, or stated more tactfully, "improvement possibilities."

4) Implement
Once your business process analysis (BPA) is complete, you can begin to manage the process.
When you implement a process for the first time, it is essential that you continue to monitor, control and evaluate it.

5) Control
Consider automating process management using a BPMS (Business Process Management System) using BPML (Business Process Modeling Language). These tools can electronically record and retrieve process documentation, and serve as a central repository for process information.

Get the complete article>

To learn more about Business Process Modeling, register to attend our next class, August 21-22, 2006 in Minneapolis.

Watermark Learning Achieves IIBA Endorsed Education Provider Status The International Institute of Business Analysis has awarded Watermark Learning the distinction of Endorsed Education Provider (EEP). Watermark was granted this designation because of the close alignment between its business analysis courses and the IIBA's Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK). What's more, Elizabeth Larson, PMP, has been selected to be a member of the Certification Exam Item Writing Development Team for IIBA. Elizabeth will be traveling to Toronto, ON Canada on August 14, 2006 to work on the analysis and documentation and elicitation areas of the exam.

Watermark Supports Local Paint-A-thon Watermark believes strongly in giving back to the community. For the past nine years, Watermark Principals, Elizabeth and Richard Larson, and Watermark staff have used their talents in managing projects to organize and manage the Paint-A-Thon for the PMI® Minnesota Chapter. Richard Larson, PMP, will once again serve as Project Manager. "The people who need help with their homes are so appreciative, and their joy in how the house turns out is worth every hour we devote (and there are many!)." This year's event will be held on August 5!

Upcoming Industry Events and Speaking Engagements

Look for us at these events: PMI-MN Chapter PDD 2006 October 3-7, 2006 Minneapolis, MN One-day seminar: Influencing Without Authority: Rev up your Internal Consulting Skills. Two symposium presentations: When Change Management and Sales Management Collide and Influencing Without Authority: Time to Rev up your Internal Consulting Skills PMI Birmingham Chapter October 19, 2006 Birmingham, AL Elizabeth Larson, PMP, will present a session on Business Process Management. PMI Global Congress North America 2006 October 21-24, 2006 Seattle, WA Influencing Without Authority: Time to Rev up your Internal Consulting Skills IIBA Des Moines, IA October 26, 2006 Des Moines, IA World Congress for Business Analysis November 6-9, 2006 Orlando, FL Elizabeth Larson, PMP, and Richard Larson, PMP, will present for IIBA separately on the BABOK. Receive a 15% discount on registration fees. Enter code SPONM181920WL. Project Summit Business Analyst World November 14, 2006 Chicago, IL Gathering Requirements: Go Away Please! How Lack of Trust Contributes to Project Risk and Failure IIBA Phoenix Chapter November 15, 2006 Phoenix, AZ

Partnerships

Watermark Learning is an educational partner of Auburn University. CEUs and Masters Certificate available Watermark Learning is an International Corporate Sponsor and Endorsed Education Provider, Charter Member. Watermark Learning is a Global Registered Education Provider.

Share your story of how learning more about project management or business analysis helped you or your company. Selected stories may be used in upcoming issues or other communications. Submit your story now or send an email and we will contact you!

---

About Watermark Learning

Watermark Learning is a leading business analysis and project management skill development company. Watermark offers training and mentoring on Project Management, Business Requirements Analysis, Leadership, and Software Development including UML training. Clients include professionals from Wells Fargo Bank, 3M, GMAC/RFC, Cargill, Inc., Securian (formerly Minnesota Life), ING/Reliastar, MetLife, State of Minnesota, and other Fortune 1000 organizations.

Watermark Learning - offices in Minneapolis, MN and Phoenix, AZ.

Privacy Guarantee
Watermark Learning respects our customers' online time and Internet privacy. We will never share e-mail addresses with third parties without your permission.