Process Analysis:
How to create efficient workflows

Before we get into the actual question of what procedure analysis is, we should first be clear about how a process is defined. A business activity is a system consisting of a recurring series of activities that are performed in a specific sequence to achieve a desired result. Let's visualize this with a simple example: As a returns manager, you ensure that incoming returns are handled smoothly. The handling process of a return could be as follows: 1. Receipt of goods, 2. Preparation of goods; 3. Assessment of the goods; 4. Packaging; 5. Re-storage.

But even with supposedly simple processes like this, it is difficult to come to a common denominator. This is because everyone has a different view of the content and overlaps between the individual steps or prefers a different sequence, for instance. In the absence of a clear set of rules, complex and interlocking processes present companies with an immense challenge, as each employee involved in the process may have a different idea of how it should be carried out. This is why it is so important to structure your business operations precisely, and to clearly define responsibilities and tasks. Who does what, when, how and with what?

If you are analyzing a cross-departmental area, this analysis requires a uniform approach. Otherwise, there is a risk that each department will develop its own procedure representation, which will further expand and reinforce silo thinking. As a result, cross-interface collaboration with other departments becomes more difficult. You can prevent this by implementing a consistent approach and a coordinated documentation scheme for workflow analysis. If you optimize the collaboration of all departments along the end-2-end processes, you align your organization specifically with customer value and can eliminate bottlenecks and make processes more efficient. This saves you time, money and personnel. Professional process management tools such as BIC Process Design ensure fast and efficient business activity modeling. The integrated analysis functions ideally support you in analyzing weak points and potential.