Alignment of BPR and IT Solution Approach

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Alignment of BPR and IT Solution Approach

I am conducting research as part of a Masters degree on the combination of business process change methodologies i.e. radical and continuous improvement and IT solution approach such as Commerical Of the Shelf (COTS, package software), Business Process Management Systems (BPMS) / workflow management systems and custom-build used in organisations.
From literature there is evidence that some combinations may not be well suited which may lead to lack of alignment between business service and IT. Also discovered through literature is that there might be factors that influence the use of such combinations e.g. cost, time, standardisation, core processes etc.
For example, the use of BPR and custom development may give a very good alignment because processes with problems are identified, re-engineered and a system custom built to support it. But the cost and time involved in such a project may deter some organisations from going for such option.
The combinations I am looking at are:
1. BPR and COTS
2. BPR and BPMS / workflow systems
3. BPR and custom development.
If you have any experience or knowledge of any of this combinations, please react.
I am looking forward to hear your opinion on this. Thank you.

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		2 Darron Passlow Business Consultant, Australia
	Business Process Reengineering does not always Require Software Business is a process involving humans. BPR is also a process involving humans and humans reactions. Why do we need a software package to help handle processes? Some processes, particularly those involving human (reactions) are multi-variable problems that are not easily modelled (by software) - so drop the idea and get in an do your BPR the old fashion way. My thoughts anyway.

		3 Adonis Business Consultant, France
	Need to Consider the Applicability Of COTS and the Divisions on Applications they Introduce Various tools which enter in the BPM domain may be divided in engineering tools and/or execution tools. Executing business process software is more complex than business process software used for mapping. A tool by itself alters the way to change and sometimes we use multiple tools for the same processes and change, what is costly. An additional parameter is the change of technology which may not follow the business change. Generic tools remain trivial while specialized or sophisticate tools may hide enormous problems.

		2 funke tijani, United Kingdom
	Business Process Reenginering Does not Always Require Software @Darron Passlow: thank you for your contribution. Unfortunately or shall I say fortunately, BPR does requires IT ! The originators of BPR (Champy et al.) all advised using IT to enable any changes made through BPR. BPR really is about re-engineering business processes and IT helps to automate some human activities. Whilst I know there are some processes that can not be modelled by software, a majority of business processes are automated by IT for effectiveness and efficiency.

		3 CK Park Business Consultant, United States
	Business Process Reengineering @funke tijani: funke, I am actually OCM practitional and familiar with Champy, Hammer, Demming etc. I would think both you and Darren are right, but it can be dangerous to assume you must have IT involved. Remember, there are business processes that do not involve IT such as (when a customer walks in the door, looks at the price tag and walks out). Darren is correct on the importance of human beings. IT works in most cases, but most projects fail not because of IT, but because of people issues. I have actually led many ERP projects where everybody focused on the IT and ignored people aspect of it, resulting in cost overruns and project delays. That is why the BPR is under the change management domain, you must manage change.

		0 Debashish Bhattacharyya ICT Consultant, India
	BPR and IT Systems - COTS or Otherwise The primary requirement is the process; and the software follows process. If the processes are not aligned to the business objectives, the application software definitely will not. Having worked with SAP and IFS applications, I have seen that as long as the BPR gets executed and implemented, taking care of the cultural change and ownership issues, implementing ERP is not a problem. Custom development comes with its own challenges, not the least of which is the long development and stabilisation life cycle. I would therefore advise a COTS rather than custom development.

		0 Darron Passlow Business Consultant, Australia
	Business Process Engineering All, the big challenge in BPR is understanding what you are trying to achieve (the goals). Then deciding on the best process that will fit the "culture". Then deciding whether you need it to help you achieve your goals. COTS always before "custom" builds. So remember to always consider the need for the process change first, and then the people involved.

		0 Debashish Bhattacharyya ICT Consultant, India
	Business Process Reengineering and COTS - Which One First? For any implementation - BPR / ERP / any enterprise application, understanding the objective is the key - always. The rationale for BPR before COTS / custom build is that unless the business process is aligned with the organisation / functional objective, the implementation of any application will not provide any major benefit to the organisation.