What Is It?
Most knowledge workers execute complex repetitive processes that vary from day to day based on the current situation. Assembling the correct version of a complex process based on the current context is a classic configuration problem. Process configuration is adapting a network of activities or tasks to meet the current customer or situation requirements. Today this adaptation is usually done manually and subjectively, based on judgment and experience.
The first step in any process improvement project is to document the current process in all of its complexity. This is followed by an analysis of the process, measurement of actual performance against standards, and improvement planning. Most existing process tools were designed in a manufacturing environment and are not capable of managing the complexity inherent in the processes of knowledge workers.
An objective approach to process configuration can improve efficiency and quality in an organization by improving process awareness and execution. It can be used to document and communicate process steps, generate project plans, create time and cost estimates for projects and guide business process reengineering efforts. It is most appropriate for complex processes that are highly repetitive, yet each pass through is a unique project based on the current situation and required deliverables. Process configuration makes process improvement in the knowledge worker arena more doable. It also enables the automation of project planning and sales quote generation for service projects.
What Makes It Challenging?
Process definition is a difficult task and requires considerable effort and discipline to be done correctly. There are many software packages that let you draw process diagrams, but do not provide tools for analysis or a means for applying the knowledge captured. Most process diagramming approaches do not have good methods for capturing complex processes that vary significantly under different conditions. Many organizations become frustrated because the documentation process is too difficult and the tools are inadequate. Organizations sometimes complete the documentation step but then have difficulty deciding what to do next: how can they create performance standards for such complex processes? How should they go about measuring performance and prioritizing opportunities for improvement? How do they create an improvement plan and communicate the new process to the rest of the organization? And how can they simplify the process of creating customer quotations when they are proposing to execute the process on behalf of a potential client?
How Do We Help You?
Apprentice Systems can handle the full range of process configuration complexity. Using the Apprentice Process Modeler and Project Apprentice, you can encapsulate all of your organization's process knowledge into an actionable, analytical tool:
Apprentice Process Modeler and Project Apprentice give you the tools you need to make process improvement and project planning automation a reality.
