1. The Context for Business Process Modelling
The course begins by establishing the purpose of process modelling and the different levels at which organisational processes can be examined.
- Purpose of business process modelling
- The business process modelling process
- Approaches to process modelling
- Business process hierarchy
- Organisation, process and task levels
- Differences between process and functional views
- Advantages of adopting a process view
- Organisational model of processes
- Strategic context for business processes
- Relationships between processes at the same and different hierarchical levels
- Building an organisation-wide process view
- Delivering customer value
- The value proposition
2. Modelling Business Processes
Participants explore techniques for representing business processes in a form that supports structured analysis.
Activity Diagrams
Activity diagrams are used to model fundamental process elements including:
- Actors
- Tasks
- Process flows
- Decisions
As-Is Process Modelling
- Modelling existing business processes
- Representing how work is currently performed
- Preparing existing processes for analysis
Process Events and Outcomes
Different types of events capable of triggering a process are considered:
- External events
- Internal events
- Time-based events
The module also considers:
- Business process outcomes
- Process timelines
- Business process measures
3. Documenting Tasks
The analysis moves from process-level modelling into the detailed activities performed within a process.
- Identifying individual tasks
- The "one person, one place, one time" concept
- Documenting the steps required to complete a task
- Identifying and documenting business rules
- Task performance measures
This provides the detail needed to understand not only the overall process flow but also how individual pieces of work are actually performed.
4. Evaluating and Improving Business Processes
Once the current process has been modelled, participants examine techniques for analysing performance and identifying improvements.
- Identifying problems within as-is processes
- Analysing process flow
- Analysing handoffs
- Analysing individual tasks
- Staff performance issues
- Challenging existing business rules
- Identifying improvement opportunities
- Modelling to-be business processes
- Approaches to business process improvement
The objective is to use modelling as an analytical tool for improving the business rather than simply documenting the existing environment.
5. Transition
This section considers how redesigned processes move from analysis into implementation.
- Integrating business process modelling with requirements definition
- Implementation considerations
- Pilot run
- Direct changeover
- Parallel implementation
- Organisational design
- Role definition
- Staff development
- Managing change implementation
The focus is on connecting the proposed to-be process with successful organisational change.
6. Examination Preparation and Case Studies
Case studies are used throughout the programme to reinforce the techniques and concepts covered during the course.
Examination preparation includes:
- Practice examination questions
- Review of key concepts
- Process modelling exercises
- Application through case-study scenarios
Exams and Assessments
The course prepares participants for the BCS Practitioner Certificate in Modelling Business Processes examination.