The individual functions that make up effective process management software may not be apparent to every organisation, so here we examine the important abilities these systems should provide.
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Developing clear understanding and optimisation of the processes that are carried out within your business is the cornerstone of helping to maximise operational performance.
As a result, organisations that are invested in making their processes as efficient and transparent as possible should consider the benefits of process management software. However, what should companies be looking for from these programs?
In this article, we examine the key aspects of these systems and highlight the ten most important functions of successful process management software.
What you should look for in process management software
- Must be workshop-oriented - Shop floor staff must be involved in the process mapping, analysis and exploration phases in order to build engagement and to drive realistic improvements.
- Must use simple icons - Teams should be able to intuitively examine the process map and be able to read each process as if it is a comic book. For example, use of a forklift truck icon for a task that is executed with such a vehicle.
- Intuitive and easy to use - The software must use a simple 'drag and drop' style and be easily understood and visually engaging.
- Ability to add detail - The system must offer full detail to users, including description fields, linking documents, defining input and output for each process step, defining and visualising whether process steps are value added or not, assigning roles, locations, IT systems, etc.
- Must highlight exceptions to the norm - In human-centric processes the number of exceptions is often greater than the clean-case. Therefore, exceptions to the norm and how those processes operate should also be detailed by the software.
- Shows the process from different perspectives - The software should have the ability to demonstrate how individual processes interact with different systems within the organisation. Being able to view processes from different perspectives can highlight new areas for improvement/optimisation.
- Ability to run calculations - This enables teams to easily quantify and demonstrate changes in performance, as well as providing direct feedback on improvement suggestions and enables a better understanding for teams.
- Ability to integrate compliance and risk management tooling - Allows operational teams to become directly involved in these requirements, while the software should automatically create reports and analysis based on how changes will impact these areas.
- Can immediately share results - An ability to immediately share the workshop results/findings to the wider business means all participants can take the results with them and involvement is not limited to the boardroom.
- Must focus on continuous improvement - When the tooling includes a feedback or continuous improvement function, shop floor teams can truly participate in constantly re-assessing and updating processes.
When combined, each of these functions ensure users of process management software are able to create a more agile, responsive and engaged business. The ability to continually assess and rework processes with all relevant data is one of the true benefits of process management software when used correctly.
For more information and to arrange a demonstration of the Engage Process platform in operation, please contact our expert team today.
