ProcessMaker

In my previous post, I mentioned that many companies are using web services to share business process information among different systems.  So how do web services and business process management software relate to one another? In many ways, the goals of BPM software and web services are the same:  to facilitate the flow of business process [...]

I want to go into some more depth on issues involving the the third type of business communication gap I mentioned in my previous blog: system gaps.  System gaps occur when information from one IT system, program, software, or database must be shared with another system.  In an ideal world, the two systems would be able to talk to [...]

When we talk about business processes or workflows, we are talking about the way information moves around a company or department.  Business process information can move in a number of directions: between people, between systems, or from people to ... [More] systems (and back again).  Here are three areas where business communication gaps commonly occur: People - people gaps:  When one [...] [Less]

In my previous post, I went through a number of disadvantages to ad-hoc business processes.  So is business process management software the magical cure for ad-hoc business processes? No, yes, and sometimes. If you have a weak process design with ... [More] little documentation and poor performance, slapping BPM software on top will not solve anything.  It might actually [...] [Less]

When business processes are not standardized, poorly defined, or based on informal personal communications, the end result can be a logistical mess. Here are four reasons to avoid ad-hoc business processes: Confusion:  In an ad-hoc business ... [More] process, the lack of documentation and structure means that it can be unclear who is responsible for what.  Responsibilities [...] [Less]

The term “business processes” is just a fancy word to describe the collection of routine activities your company undertakes every day.  All departments have processes, and they often include requests, approvals, and forms.  But whether those ... [More] processes are well-designed or running smoothly is another story.  When we talk about business process management, we love to [...] [Less]

When an employee leaves a company, that departure can create a significant amount of risk to the organization.  A well-designed off-boarding workflow can be a very useful tool to make sure that the off-boarding process is applied consistently, the ... [More] process runs smoothly, and any potential issues are resolved.  Here are three important ways to protect [...] [Less]

The exit interview is a very important element of any well-designed employee off-boarding process. No matter the reason for the employee’s departure, exit interviews are a key part of making sure that the employee’s tenure with the company wraps up ... [More] on a positive note, and are of great importance to both employees and management. From management’s [...] [Less]

Traditionally, when an employee left a company, this departure was usually due to one of two reasons:  either the employee found another job elsewhere, or the company fired the employee due to poor job performance. But in our current economic climate, a new category of layoffs has emerged: forced layoffs of good employees, simply due [...]

If you watch “The Apprentice”, then you’re familiar with Donald Trump’s terrible off-boarding process.  With his signature phrase, “You’re fired!”, he sends apprentice-wannabes on their way.  The ex-apprentice then exits the boardroom, grabs his/her ... [More] rolling suitcase, takes the elevator down to the lobby, and hops in a waiting taxi to be whisked away. But in [...] [Less]