Business Process Management (BPM) describes the entire lifecycle of a process, beginning with its design, continuing with its implementation, and concluding with the monitoring of processes as they are “really used”. BPM’s aim is to shape, document, as well as continually check and improve business processes.

The definition of BPM is complex, though. On the one hand, it encompasses diverse methods for developing and improving business processes, and on the other, it includes the software that enables these processes to be automated.In the Process Design phase, graphic transparency of the process flow is achieved by modeling the flow of business transactions. Admittedly, the modeling of business processes is often equated with their remodeling. In point of fact, this phase involves finding the optimum process design.

The Implementation Phase consists in putting the design into practice and transforming the company’s requirements into business processes. The key task here is configuring the software, since the settings maintained in Customizing determine to a great extent how efficiently the processes and functions run.

The subsequent execution and monitoring of the process flow is every bit as important as the previous two phases. It involves checking whether business processes are executed adeptly and efficiently. If not, improvements must be made.

Now it is necessary to return to the first phase, in which the processes are adapted. The cycle is complete; the processes are redesigned.

IBIS Prof. Thome AG’s Contribution

With its products RBE Plus and PPA (Process Pipeline Analysis), IBIS Prof. Thome AG offers methods, content and tools for all phases of the process lifecycle. IBIS uses its wealth of experience and active analysis capabilities to ensure competent and effectual modeling and usage of SAP system business processes. For instance, they can help you tap into unrecognized SAP potential, or identify superfluous sub-processes that are costly to the SAP system and only hinder the process flow. What’s more, IBIS can help you detect subtle process changes that result in regressive and incorrect system usage.

(Re-)Designing and Modeling

The Modeling Phase includes an evaluation of the SAP system’s “as is” condition via RBE Plus and PPA, and its subsequent integration with graphic editors such as ARIS, Visio, LIVE KIT Power, Aeneis, etc. The purpose of this integration is to supply the modeling tools with critical analysis data via an interface and/or to compare the information already available there.

Configuration and Implementation

In addition, RBE Plus helps you monitor SAP system usage and configuration. An evaluation is then performed on the basis of a manageable number of key figures. If necessary, these figures are compared with significant benchmarks from a panel of similar companies.

Execution and Monitoring

Conserving the SAP system’s performance remains a serious challenge, necessitating ongoing system analysis to ultimately ensure a smooth process flow. Consequently, validation and evaluation through RBE Plus affords you a decisive advantage by providing visualization of the master data, processes, process steps and transactions active in an SAP system.

RBE Plus and PPA are essential and continual analytical drivers of Business Process Management (BPM)!