Implenting a BPM System: Stop Stalling, Start Doing

Editor's note: this transcript was generated by AI and has been lightly edited for clarity and relevance — some sections have been shortened or removed, and minor transcription errors corrected.

Full transcript

00:00:06Client

So I've just started figuring out process improvement. I know that our processes need to change in our organisation, but I'm not really sure where to start.

00:00:15Triaster Representative

Is this something you're feeling? If so, you're certainly not alone. This helpless feeling has the tendency to push professionals to learn everything about the topic and plan out in detail how they're going to capture, manage, and improve their processes before starting.

00:00:36Triaster Representative

Learning and planning are good things, but sometimes the change required is so dramatic that you don't actually end up putting plans into action. Another rabbit hole is software system choice — the evaluation can grow and grow in scope until many people are involved with many opinions, and the purchase decision becomes stalled.

00:01:24Triaster Representative

With these issues in mind, here are 6 steps to get started. We've noticed consistently that our customers achieve the best results in the shortest time frame by taking this approach.

00:01:41Triaster Representative

One: don't spend too long learning the theory. At a certain point you just have to get started and put the theory into practice. There are many theories on how to implement a process improvement strategy, and none of them will be an exact fit for your organisation — you'll need to take the approach that best fits your objectives, and this will take some trial and error.

00:02:13Triaster Representative

Two: trial potential systems as soon as possible. Once you have an idea of what you need it to deliver, move forward quickly and trial the one that matches your requirements best.

00:02:42Triaster Representative

Three: choose your start point wisely. It needs to be narrow and focused. Start with an area of the business which is known, rather than one where the processes are under development. A really good place to start is with a supporting process such as HR, business operations, or finance — making even small improvements there can benefit nearly everyone in the business.

00:03:32Triaster Representative

Four: eat the elephant one bite at a time. Your software trial is the first bite. Use it to introduce the approach to your organisation, start the communication about what you're trying to achieve, and show some tangible results to senior management.

00:03:58Triaster Representative

Five: the system might be new, but your processes aren't. If you have any existing process or policy documentation, think how you can import this into your new system — it's often easier to update old documentation than starting from scratch.

00:04:27Triaster Representative

Six: get help. Those most effective at process improvement are those most effective at getting other people on board. Ensure you have senior management and subject matter experts on board, and build a team around you.