Business process management models enable more efficient company operations by simplifying processes and generally injecting a wave of innovation. When considering a scenario in which a company wishes to undertake the digital transformation of its business by introducing ad hoc solutions to improve the speed and effectiveness of its work, it is important to keep in mind the factors enabling innovation.
Among the many aspects included in this context, we will examine three particular business levers that are impossible to ignore if you are aiming for the development and competitiveness of your business: process automation, data-driven governance, and attention to cyber security.
Business process management: the benefits of process automation
A redefinition of operating models achieved by implementing the principles of business process management allows for business innovation through the use of technology. In this way, activities that were traditionally performed, for example with the sole operational effort of human personnel, can be redesigned using tools such as management software, artificial intelligence-based solutions, IoT (Internet of Things), and Big Data. Specifically, process automation allows for rapid achievement of:
- an increase in the speed of execution of operations;
- lower risk of making errors, especially human errors;
- ability to monitor the entire progress of the process;
- simplification of work for staff;
- reduction of management and organizational costs.
The direct consequence is an increase in the company's overall efficiency, with improvements in performance and speed in the provision of services or industrial production depending on the sector.
Data-Driven Governance: How Business Process Management Enables Data Analytics
The introduction of technological solutions based on the principles of business process management, translated into business process automation or business process optimization, also enables effective data management. Companies process a significant amount of data every day, often unstructured and originating from diverse sources, which are not always accessible to human operators. Process innovation allows for the collection and analysis of available data, transforming it into useful information for company management. Indeed, thanks to the reports produced by available technological tools such as management platforms, data can be used to understand the overall performance of company processes and identify, for example:
- improvements compared to previous performances and, consequently, any worsening;
- alignment with pre-established KPIs and achievement of SLAs (Service Level Agreements), the service levels established with customers during the contract phase;
- the company's strengths, on which to invest to become more competitive;
- expenditure items, analyzed with greater transparency to understand where cost savings can be achieved;
- unprofitable processes that need to be redefined.
All aspects that allow you to strategically direct company choices, allocating budgets wisely and focusing on developing your business on the market.
Business process management: cybersecurity is a priority
The digital transformation of business processes brings numerous benefits, but the risks must not be overlooked. Considering cybersecurity from the very early stages of process design—a "by design" approach, to cite the principle of the European GDPR data protection regulation—offers competitive advantages for secure innovation. Implementing adequate security measures, particularly to protect personal data and, on the technical front, corporate systems, is the solution for:
- prevent incidents, such as data breaches, which can cause significant financial damage to the company;
- avoid the sanctions imposed by the authorities for incidents such as data theft;
- Don't stop production, but ensure business continuity: attacks like ransomware can block industrial processes, with serious consequences for the company and its stakeholders;
- carry out your operations with peace of mind and not fear vulnerabilities.
also fits into this context Employee training, which is essential to avoid incidents caused by human error, such as in the case of phishing attacks.
