Posts by Catherine Ellwood
How business process transformation could boost your share of IT services spending
The IT services market is growing and your clients are increasing their spending. We look at how business process transformation helps you tap into the opportunities that creates. Enterprise spending on IT services is set to grow in 2023 Gartner defines IT services as “the application of business and technical expertise to enable organisations in…
Read MoreOptimise your customer journeys using process improvement
Do you know how, where, when and why customers interact with your business? If not, you’re missing out on opportunities. Process improvement can help you map, visualise and optimise your customer journeys in order to exploit every advantage. Customer journeys are complex and constantly evolving A customer journey describes the full pathway of interactions…
Read MoreHow to build process compliance
Achieving process compliance is essential for smooth business operation, as well as to meet legal obligations. We examine what a good plan should contain, and show how a financial services organisation improved its compliance. Governance, risk and compliance (GRC) is about instilling and following good business practices GRC is increasingly important to the way…
Read MoreBetter out than in: why remove business processes?
Which of your processes aren’t adding value? Identifying and removing these is a vital part of change management. We take a quick look at the role of operating models in streamlining processes. And share an example of a business that improved its process alignment. Removing pointless processes is a key part of transformation “It’s what…
Read MoreMaximizing Efficiency: How Process Simulation Drives Cost Reductions
In our latest LinkedIn poll, 17% of respondents said achieving cost savings was their top process improvement problem. Using process simulation is one way of dealing with the challenge. Cost management must be an ongoing activity Every business wants to reduce costs, waste and inefficiencies, particularly with the potential of recession in the UK.…
Read MoreSeven steps to continuous improvement
In our recent LinkedIn poll, 83% of respondents said driving continuous improvement was their top process challenge. We look at how you can tackle the problem, and share an example of a successful transformation. Continuous improvement helps drive growth, innovation and versatility It’s a practice that, as the name suggests, involves ongoing evaluation and revision…
Read MoreSelecting the Right System for Process Transformation
There’s an oft-repeated quote that 70% of complex, large-scale change programmes don’t reach their stated goals. Whether this is accurate or not, it is true that choosing the right process transformation system reduces the risk of failure. We explore some must-have requirements for a platform to optimise your chances of success. Do you know what…
Read MoreDeveloping and Implementing a Business Capability Map for Organizational Improvement
Do you know exactly what your organisation does, at every level? A capability map will tell you. Find out how to develop and use one for business and process improvement. Capability [noun]: the power or ability to do something In business, capabilities define what the organisation does and the functions it performs. They’re statements of…
Read MoreHow to use process improvement to navigate a recession
With the chance of recession this year on everyone’s mind, is your business prepared? Optimising your business processes will improve your chances of surviving and thriving. Here’s how you can use process improvement to help find your way through challenging times. The possibility of recession is casting a shadow over 2023 At the start…
Read MoreWhy you should choose crowd-driven process mining
There are many ways of running process mining and discovery; we previously outlined three in this article. This time, we’re going to dig deeper into the crowd-driven method and reveal why it’s of such value. Crowd-driven mining is collaborative, quick and easy Most of us are familiar with the principles of crowdfunding or crowdsourcing. They…
Read MoreWhat’s your process maturity level?
Process mapping is a valuable tool to help you gain a detailed, data-driven understanding of how your organisation works. As one of the first tasks in a business transformation, it sets you on the right track. Mapping defines what your business does, who does it and how to measure its success. Use it to increase operational…
Read MoreWhat’s the point of master data?
Many companies want to develop a data-driven culture, basing decisions on facts rather than subjective opinion. Creating and managing a consistent set of master data can help achieve that. Defining master data Master data is “data about the business entities that provide context for business transactions” says the DAMA Guide to the Data Management Body…
Read MoreThree reasons to optimise your process documentation
Do you have clear visibility of your business operations? Process documentation can help you achieve it. Using accurate models and definitions allows you to identify, target and resolve problems caused by poor visibility. We look at three key benefits of optimising your process documentation. Process documentation forms the basis of a successful business I worked…
Read MoreThree steps to better scenario modelling
Most of us would love to be confident of making the right decisions that will lead to beneficial outcomes. We look at how effective scenario modelling helps you achieve your business goals. Choose your own (business) adventure Did you ever read those choose-your-own-adventure books as a kid? The ones where you were given options at…
Read MoreBusinessOptix versus Visio
It can be difficult to choose a business process transformation system. There are plenty available, with similar features and capabilities. So, to help you, we thought we’d run a quick comparison of some key providers. The facts: capability comparison* Visio: developed by Microsoft, Visio is a Windows-based diagramming software program. You can create flowcharts, organisational…
Read MoreHow to run effective process discovery
How do you currently discover and map your business processes? In our recent LinkedIn poll, 13% of respondents said they used an Excel spreadsheet. Methods like this can generate all sorts of problems: version control, inputting mistakes – the list goes on. There is a better way. Using a centralised system gives you more…
Read MoreHow to run a business process review
A business process review (BPR) lays the foundations for a successful business transformation. Here’s a handy four-step guide to running an effective review. A BPR sets you on the right track for business transformation A BPR is simply a way to assess how your processes are working and identify ways to improve them. You…
Read More10 digital twin use-cases to learn from
Are you considering creating a digital twin? To demonstrate their benefits, we’ve compiled examples of use-cases from various industries: automotive, retail, construction, hospitality and gaming. Plus, read to the end to discover two additional and perhaps more unusual applications. Digital twins have many benefits for businesses There are multiple reasons why a business might…
Read MoreHow to create a transformation map
It’s always easier to get to your destination if you’ve got a good map. This is just as true in business transformation as when you’re on a walk in the countryside. Let’s examine how to create a transformation map, why you should use one, and what it should contain. A transformation map helps you…
Read MoreEmpowering Sustainable Futures: The Transformative Impact of Digital Twins in Business
Digital twins play a vital role in helping organisations shape their future and achieve their objectives. Sustainability is often one of these objectives, and it’s a priority for many businesses. Here we look at how digital twins are helping businesses drive sustainability goals. And we highlight four use-cases to inspire your own digital twin development.…
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