No codes or prompts: collaboration and engagement are the keys to successful software implementation

AI is setting the tone in all newspapers, and this comes as no surprise. Because these tools are super smart, super fast, and provide promising developments in various sectors. Of course, we've long been used to handy tools supporting us in our work. Think of BPM tools such as SAP Signavio and ARIS. But in the heyday of AI and other software tools, we often forget to highlight the other side: the human side. Despite being very happy with our smart assistants, it is precisely the collaboration and involvement between teams that makes each implementation a success. In other words, no success story without human involvement.

The soft side of BPM

To gain insight into your processes, we often use hard data in BPM. Want more clarity? Or more structure in your process? Then we use various tools. But what is forgotten here is that these tools support the BPM process. Because every initiative strongly depends on the knowledge and involvement of the teams.

Each employee has valuable knowledge of the activities and bottlenecks. They have probably also thought about improvements. By regularly organizing feedback sessions and evaluating the results, you increase the involvement of your employees. And that in turn leads to effective process optimizations, which benefits the organization.

Continue building knowledge and skills

This sounds good, but for this to work well, employees must have the right knowledge and skills. It is therefore important to invest in training and education. The training helps with analyzing business processes and identifying bottlenecks. In addition, it is important to make them aware of the importance of BPM and encourage them to continuously develop their skills.

Leading the way

Management plays a crucial role in this. Just like a competent captain who determines the right course, the management team can ensure that the team seizes opportunities and is flexible. They ensure that the vision and objectives are communicated correctly. Team leaders should emphasize the importance of BPM, explain its benefits, and support the project by making sufficient resources available. In short, success depends on the involvement of management. Not surprising, therefore, that management also has a place in our checklist for a successful BPM journey.

It's all about acceptance

BPM projects often bring changes, not only at the process level but also organizationally. People often stick to the familiar way of working and sometimes find change scary. So it is important to apply change management correctly, so that the changes are actually accepted. You can do this in different ways:

• Inform employees in a timely manner about the change process

• Explain the benefits of the change

• Involve them in the process design

• Offer training throughout the process

• Involve them in the implementation

• Hold feedback sessions (even after implementation)

In short, it is essential to promote a culture of collaboration and open communication. By working together, employees can share different perspectives and expertise. And that leads to better process analyses and improvements.

A strong BPM team as the base

Involvement, expertise, communication, leadership, and change management. All human factors that are incredibly important in every BPM project. Without these skills, there is no successful implementation. Want to start a successful BPM project? Then you need the following expertise:

• BPM lead: oversees and coordinates the project and all stakeholders.

• Process owner: responsible for specific business processes.

• Process experts: bring domain knowledge, operational expertise, and feedback together.

• Business analyst: analyzes processes, identifies bottlenecks, and designs solutions.

• IT specialist: responsible for the technical aspects of BPM.

• Change manager: supports the change process and ensures acceptance.

Each role contributes to the success of the project. The composition of the team can of course vary and depends on the project size and the needs of the organization.

One last tip

Don't be afraid to learn and grow. A business transformation offers opportunities for personal and professional growth. Seize this opportunity and learn new skills. A new process or a new piece of technology always takes some getting used to. But with a positive attitude and a desire to keep learning, you're already making progress.

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