You’re looking into process improvement, and BPM (Business Process Management) sounds like a great idea to fine-tune the way you work. But now, you discover a whole lot of buzzwords and terminology, and one of these is “end to end process.”
You’ve probably worked out what, exactly, the term means – the act of defining a process from start to finish. The moment you start trying to do this in practice, though, you’ll realize it’s not as easy as it sounds. We’ll look at why you need capture end-to-end processes, and how it can be done.
What’s the Point of Capturing an End to End Process?
Capturing an end to end process allows you to monitor and evaluate everything that your company does to achieve a certain result. Your goal is to make the entire process work as efficiently as possible.
This could take you on a journey of continuous improvement or Kaizen and that, in turn, could give your business a stronger competitive edge, increase profits, and enhance your company’s reputation.
Once you have found the way you want a process to work, you can even automate it. How much of your day is spent allocating work, following up tasks, and putting out fires?
How often do you find that something went wrong because someone decided to do their work in a non-standard way? Did you even set a standard? Are certain departments or functional tasks overburdened while work piles up holding up entire processes?
To make your processes function significantly better, you need to start somewhere – and mapping your processes end-to-end is the perfect first step.
Where does a Process Begin?
You might ask yourself where a business process begins – and if you aren’t asking yourself this question, it’s worth devoting thought to. The answer isn’t always as obvious as it seems.
Let’s look at the process of making tea. Does it begin when you turn on the kettle? No, it does not. The process of making tea begins when you go to the supermarket to buy teabags – or, we could even say it begins before that because before you went to the supermarket, you realized that you needed to add tea bags to your grocery list. If you’re a really big tea maker, it might even begin with choosing the farmer who produces the tea leaves!
To find the beginning of a business process, look for the trigger that sets it in motion. Manufacturing may seem to begin on the factory floor, but it begins long before that. How do you decide what to manufacture? When and how do you decide how much to manufacture?
These questions may be less relevant if you manufacture a reasonably standard item with predictable demand. In that case, you could consider beginning your end to end process at the point where you select suppliers of raw materials. The concept of “end to end” process thinking allows for some flexibility in how you view it.
Where Does a Process End?
Now that we’ve looked at where an end to end process begins, you’ll know that you need to look beyond the obvious. You’ll also know that the way you do business will influence where the end may be.
Using the example of manufacturing, you might decide that the process isn’t complete until your customer pays for and receives your products. After all, what’s the point of a manufacturing process if it doesn’t result in sales and satisfied customers?
In businesses using JIT (just in time) thinking, you might even make the sale before you begin manufacturing. In that case, delivery and a final contact point with sales to gauge customer satisfaction might be the last steps in your process.
You might even find that a business process is cyclical, feeding back in a circle so that the “last” step becomes the trigger for the “first” one.
Mapping Processes End-to-End with Software
Today, there’s software that helps with just about everything – and business process mapping is no exception.
Workflow management software can help you create digital versions of your processes. Other than the obvious benefit of getting a top-down view of the process, the software can also keep track of it and make sure your employees are doing everything right.
If you want to get the very best out of your business processes, give Tallyfy a try – it’s free to start!
Related Questions
What is an example of an end-to-end process?
A great example of an end-to-end process is making a pizza from scratch. It starts with ordering ingredients, preparing the dough, adding toppings, baking the pizza, and finally delivering it to the customer. This process covers everything from the initial order to the final product reaching the customer’s hands. It’s like a pizza-making adventure that takes you from farm to doorstep!
What is the end-to-end process system?
An end-to-end process system is like a super-organized way of doing things from start to finish. It’s a bit like planning a road trip where you map out every stop, gas station, and attraction along the way. This system makes sure that every step in a process is connected and works smoothly together, kind of like a well-oiled machine. It helps businesses avoid hiccups and keeps everything running like clockwork.
What is the end-to-end order process?
The end-to-end order process is like following a treasure map from the moment a customer says “I want that!” to when they finally get their hands on the product. It includes taking the order, checking if the item is available, processing payment, packing the item, shipping it out, and making sure the customer is happy with what they received. It’s a bit like being a personal shopper who takes care of everything for the customer.
What is the end-to-end process cycle?
The end-to-end process cycle is like a merry-go-round of tasks that keep spinning to get things done. It starts with planning what needs to happen, then moves on to actually doing the work, checking to make sure everything’s going well, and finally wrapping things up. But it doesn’t stop there! The cycle keeps going, always looking for ways to make things better. It’s like a never-ending quest to be awesome at what you do.
What challenges come with using end-to-end processes?
Using end-to-end processes can be tricky, kind of like trying to juggle while riding a unicycle. One big challenge is getting everyone to work together smoothly, especially when different departments are involved. It can also be tough to spot problems quickly when there are so many moving parts. Plus, if one part of the process gets stuck, it can slow down everything else, like a traffic jam on a highway. Keeping the whole process up-to-date and flexible can also be a real head-scratcher!
Why should businesses implement end-to-end processes?
Businesses should jump on the end-to-end process bandwagon because it’s like giving their operations a superpower! It helps them see the big picture and catch problems before they turn into disasters. End-to-end processes can make things run smoother, faster, and with fewer mistakes, kind of like upgrading from a bicycle to a sports car. They also make customers happier by providing a seamless experience from start to finish. Plus, it’s easier to spot ways to save money and time, which is always a win!
Is BPMN low-code?
BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) itself isn’t low-code, but it’s often used in low-code platforms. Think of BPMN as a visual language for drawing business processes, like a flowchart on steroids. Low-code platforms frequently incorporate BPMN to help users design workflows without heavy coding. So while BPMN isn’t inherently low-code, it’s a key ingredient in many low-code recipes for process automation.
What is the difference between low-code and software development?
Imagine you’re building a house. Traditional software development is like constructing everything from scratch – cutting each board, mixing concrete, and placing every brick. Low-code, on the other hand, is like using pre-fab walls and modular components. It’s faster and easier, but might limit some customization. Low-code platforms offer visual interfaces and drag-and-drop tools, allowing even non-techies to create apps. Traditional development gives more control but requires deeper technical know-how. Both have their place – low-code for quick solutions and citizen developers, traditional for complex, highly customized software.
What is a BPM code?
“BPM code” isn’t a standard term, but it likely refers to the programming involved in Business Process Management (BPM) systems. This could mean several things: the code that powers BPM software, custom scripts to automate specific processes, or even the “code” of best practices in process management. In the context of modern BPM platforms, it often involves a mix of visual process modeling (like our BPMN friend) and some light coding to handle unique business rules or integrations. Think of it as the secret sauce that turns process diagrams into living, breathing automated workflows.
