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Business Process Management

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May 1, 2024 Updated June 4, 2025 26 minute read

An Introduction to Business Process Management

Business Process Management (BPM) is a systematic approach to making an organization's workflows more effective, more efficient, and more capable of adapting to an ever-changing environment. At its core, BPM involves identifying, designing, executing, documenting, measuring, monitoring, and controlling both automated and non-automated business processes to achieve consistent, targeted results aligned with an organization's strategic goals. It's a discipline that combines business management with technology, aiming to improve corporate performance by managing and optimizing a company's business processes. For those new to the concept, think of it as creating a well-oiled machine where every part works in harmony to produce the desired outcome, whether that's delivering a product, providing a service, or managing internal operations.

Embarking on a journey into Business Process Management can be quite engaging. One of the most exciting aspects is the ability to act as a catalyst for positive change within an organization; you get to dissect how things currently work and then redesign them to be demonstrably better. This often involves a blend of analytical thinking, creative problem-solving, and collaboration with diverse teams. Furthermore, the field is constantly evolving with technological advancements like automation and artificial intelligence, offering continuous learning opportunities and the chance to work with cutting-edge tools. The satisfaction of seeing your implemented changes lead to tangible improvements in efficiency, cost savings, or customer satisfaction can be incredibly rewarding.

Introduction to Business Process Management

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Reading list

We've selected 30 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Business Process Management.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the BPM lifecycle, from identification to monitoring. It's widely used as a textbook in academic institutions and is excellent for gaining a broad understanding of BPM concepts and techniques. It serves as a strong foundation for both students and professionals new to the field.
Focusing on the practical aspects of BPM, this book offers guidance on successfully implementing BPM projects. It covers various frameworks like Lean and Six Sigma and emphasizes the integration of BPM with organizational culture and leadership. This valuable resource for practitioners and managers involved in real-world BPM initiatives. The Fifth Edition includes updated content on automation and AI.
Offers a thorough treatment of BPM concepts, languages (like BPMN), and architectures. It provides a solid theoretical foundation and is often used in academic settings. The latest edition includes updates on process mining, data in BPM, declarative process modeling, and RPA.
Provides a decision-making framework for BPM, helping readers make informed decisions about BPM initiatives. It valuable resource for anyone involved in BPM.
This comprehensive handbook offers a deep dive into the entire spectrum of BPM, covering everything from process modeling to the broader BPM body of knowledge. It's a valuable reference for those seeking extensive coverage of the field.
This step-by-step guide provides a practical approach to the entire discipline of BPM, covering governance, process culture, and performance measurement. It's a crystal-clear and conveniently sized book that can be immediately applied within an organization.
Offers a broad survey of the BPM field, covering various aspects and perspectives. It's a good resource for gaining a wide understanding of the different facets of BPM research and practice.
Focuses on aligning BPM with business strategy and improving execution and adaptability. It provides pragmatic guidance for creating a framework that connects strategy with BPM mechanics.
Focuses on the strategic aspect of BPM, emphasizing how to derive value from process management for competitive advantage. It's relevant for understanding the business impact and strategic alignment of BPM initiatives.
A practical guide to using BPMN in real-world scenarios, this book also includes an introduction to DMN (Decision Model and Notation), which is increasingly relevant in process automation. It's a good resource for those focusing on process modeling and implementation.
Focuses on the practicalities of workflow modeling, providing tools and techniques for process improvement and application development. It's a valuable resource for understanding the mechanics of how processes are designed and implemented.
A classic and influential book that introduced the concept of Business Process Reengineering (BPR). While BPR more radical approach than BPM, this book is essential for understanding the historical context and the foundational ideas behind process-centric thinking. It's more valuable as historical context than a current how-to guide.
Provides a collection of tools and techniques for business process improvement. It's a practical guide for practitioners looking for hands-on methods to analyze and enhance processes.
Presented as a business novel, this book introduces the Theory of Constraints, a powerful concept for identifying and overcoming bottlenecks in processes. While not strictly a BPM textbook, its lessons on process improvement are highly relevant and considered a classic in operations management.
Provides an accessible introduction to Six Sigma, a methodology for process improvement that is often used in conjunction with BPM. It's helpful for understanding the statistical and methodological aspects of process analysis and improvement.
Provides a framework for building a strong, scalable business, with a significant focus on establishing clear processes and accountability. It complements BPM principles by offering a system for operationalizing business strategy.
While not exclusively about BPM, this book emphasizes the importance of processes in creating a scalable and successful business. It highlights the need for documenting and standardizing operations, which foundational concept in BPM.
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