What is Business Process Transformation?

Business process transformation is an umbrella term that describes the act of radically changing the series of actions required to meet a specific business goal.

BPT is the fundamental rethinking of a process, focused on the end‐to‐end alignment and change of a business’s functions, processes, organisation, data, metrics, and technology. Business Process Transformation aims to deliver a significant, measured increase in customer value.

To be clear the term transformation, in this case, is not just semantics. It sets a higher bar of expectations both in terms of risk and success. However, the business process transformation does not necessarily apply to the entire business. The nature of a finance department transformation will be inherently different from transforming the customer experience, for example.

The goal is innovation and the application of new concepts, capabilities, technology, etc., to the design of the work that needs to be done. In this business redesign, no idea is off the table. No option is initially rejected—unless by company policy, law or financial reality. Improvement is thus not the goal, but a by‐product of a radical change to the way the process is approached and performed. This level of change is by nature invasive and will be disruptive.

Phases of Business Process Transformation

1. Planning is critical for transformation to be successful. You must consider the motivation, budget, skills and staff to have a realistic attempt.
2. Execution is just as paramount as planning. There are many methodologies to consider when attempting a business process transformation.
3. Analyse your chances of success. As you can imagine, this is a highly risky proposition. You may be wondering why an organisation would attempt such a change. But, sometimes to remain the same will lead to absolute failure.

Further resources:

Read our guide to creating a process improvement plan

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Source: Guide to the Business Process Management Body of Knowledge – ABPMP BPM CBOK V3.0.