Business process management (BPM) software is designed for orchestrating and streamlining the core processes that power your business. When combined with artificial intelligence, these platforms become even more robust; bringing new levels of speed, intelligence, and adaptability to how work gets done.
But how exactly do these types of platforms work? And how do you get more value out of them?
The Basics of Business Process Management Software
Business Process Management (BPM) software comes in many forms, each offering a unique set of features based on the developer’s priorities and target use cases. Still, most BPM platforms share a core set of capabilities designed to help organizations map, manage, and improve their critical workflows.
- Workflow modeling and management: Most of the tools in this category can help enterprises with workflow modeling and management. These tools enable you to visualize, analyze, and continuously refine workflows to better align with evolving business needs.· Automation: Today, most business process management platforms include some automation capabilities. These streamline and automate various nodes acrossworkflows so you can save time and improve consistency.
- Collaborative tools: Very commonly, you’ll find that business process management software includes collaborative tools and features designed to help users work together on shared projects.
- Integrations: You’ll also find opportunities for integrations with other tools that your business already uses. When you stitch your business process management software together with other tools, like project management software, it makes it much easier to coordinate and stay organized.
- Reporting and analytics: You’ll also benefit from the reporting and analytics features included in most forms of business process management software. It’s helpful to gain objective data and insights into how your business processes are flowing.
The Power of AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) has changed the landscape of what’s possible with business process management software. Previously, the effectiveness of business process management software was entirely dependent on human input and oversight. Now, with the help of AI, these tools can operate with greater autonomy almost as if you hired a super intelligent expert to work on your organization’s behalf.
Today’s BPM platforms offer more automation capabilities than ever before, more sophisticated data analytics, and even the opportunity to drive better business outcomes. As AI grows more sophisticated and more powerful, we expect that business process management software tools will only become more valuable and indispensable for enterprise operations.
How to Choose the Right Business Process Management Software
Most businesses can benefit from integrating business process management software. The question is, with so many software options available, how do you choose the right tool for your organization?
- Identify your needs. Before you start looking for any business process management platform, you should take a moment to identify your organization’s needs. Obviously, you want to streamline and accelerate efficiency within your organization, but what specific problems are you hoping to solve with this platform? What would a successful automation initiative look like?
- Evaluate core features. When examining business process management software, start by evaluating the core features. What are the main components and capabilities that define this platform? How do those line up with your core organizational needs?
- Gauge usability. User interface (UI) design is also important to consider. Your software might have all the features and capabilities you need to be successful, but is it possible for your users to fully harness that potential? Poor usability can be a massive detriment.
- Test and experiment. Take a moment to test and experiment with whatever business process management software you’re considering. You need to understand where the limitations are and get a better first-hand grasp of how this tool works.
- Research multiple options. It’s usually inadvisable to choose the first and only tool you examine. Compare and research multiple options so you have a better understanding of the landscape.
- Conduct an ROI analysis. ROI calculation is one of your best tools to estimate the value of business process management software. How much value will this tool return to your organization compared to what you’re spending on it? It’s not always easy to arrive at an objective answer here, but you should at least make the effort.
- Study reviews and testimonials. Make sure to look at reviews and testimonials as well. What are people saying about this platform? How much value have they gotten from it?
Business process management software has the potential to make your organization more efficient, faster, and more streamlined, with fewer mistakes and interruptions. But not all platforms are created equal,. If you want to get the full value from this tool, you need to do your due diligence, compare options, and align your final decision with your business needs. .
