Business benefits do not come just by implementing an ERP system but by improving business processes that operate through the system.  To ensure a competitive edge, it is important to understand how current business processes operate, and then use that knowledge to design and implement new, more efficient processes to be embedded in the ERP implementation.

The biggest single asset of any company is arguably the knowledge accumulated by its employees. This knowledge, built over time covers how core processes work, how these processes flow and how the workforce carries them out. People are the drivers of processes. Every person in the organisation has a part to play in process management. Sadly these processes are typically not recorded anywhere, or if they are, the records are soon out of date or not used.

To maintain continuity, it is essential that this knowledge is not only captured but also maintained as the business changes. This is ideally done in a purpose built tool that makes maintenance and monitoring of processes straightforward and easy for you; one that delivers an “Intelligent Operations Manual”

Over time, many of the projects and initiatives an organisation faces will have one common prerequisite: they will need a thorough understanding of the way that processes throughout the organization work. This understanding is typically the “missing piece of the jigsaw”.

By modelling business processes, companies can achieve increased productivity, comply with pressure from auditors to improve control of processes and provide a sound foundation for any future software project.

Business Process Modelling and Whitehouse Consultants
Whitehouse uses Nimbus Control 2007, a leading Business Process Modelling tool, to develop comprehensive models that are easier for business users to understand, demonstrate that processes exist and enable companies to control and manage them. Using Control 2007 saves time, effort and cost – both in the application of this approach and in the processes it maps.

Whitehouse’s experienced business analysts understand project methodology and are experienced at documenting and reviewing a company’s business processes. It is useful that Whitehouse consultants can draw on their operational and functional experience in their respective fields.

Using expertise from Whitehouse with the market leading BPM tool ensures the provision of a clear, understandable, easy-to-maintain process map to review and manage processes.  The process map is the platform from which to achieve successful projects, and then to drive continuous improvement in the years ahead.  Every business needs to consider future change and improvement; it is what gives a business a competitive edge.

When to carry out Business Process Modelling
It is widely acknowledged that upgrading or implementing any new ERP/CRM involves risk. According to a survey by the Standish Group - few ERP/CRM projects meet their targets on budget. The average variances to budget are astounding; 182% of cost,  230% of schedule. Worse still, only 50% of intended capability. Why is this?

The most common causes of project failure are well documented:

The risk reality
Yet perceptions of when the risk is at its greatest are not so clear:

It is actually at the start of any project where there is the greatest risk. Failure to clearly define end-to-end business processes, as the first step of the implementation’ is likely to result in a company becoming one of those unfortunate statistics in the survey.

Successful ERP and CRM projects are not about implementing software. They are about people delivering greater business value supported by the software.

With Nimbus Control 2007, we can ensure that companies:

Getting it right the first time
By defining and refining business processes BEFORE beginning a project significant benefits can be achieved:

All captured on screen, in front of you, in two easy steps:

Step 1. Document existing business processes
Our consultants use Control 2007 in interactive workshops with business users, to quickly map the current processes, document any issues with them, and capture comments and suggestions for improvements. Drill down to greater levels of detail and attach documents, spreadsheets and URL’s to each activity, ensuring all information is kept together.

Step 2. Plan and implement new processes
New business processes are developed with our consultants, based on step 1. These newly-designed processes and specific business requirements drive functional specifications, test scripts and the development of end-user training material. This reduces duplication and saves time and cost later on in the project. This approach, (see diagram below), can be easily integrated into any implementation methodology. We use Control 2007 to quickly capture end-to-end processes in a format that is far more useful and engaging than traditional methods. This keeps the whole team “on the same page”, as all the content is web based and delivered via a personalised collaborative portal.

The result is an “Intelligent Operations Manual” – a richly communicative source of information for stakeholders and end users – that provides a consistent, shared view of the business; from top-level strategy down to individual processes and procedures.

Old school:
Traditional process workshops driven by many systems implementers produce content which is inefficient, un-integrated and unusable by end users …

“After the process workshop we had all four walls and the windows of the project office covered in flipcharts and post-it notes. Some poor soul put it in PowerPoint. I think we intended to use this for training sessions later. But trainers found it unusable so they just focused on the transactional screen training.”

Anon. ERP Project Team Member Fortune 500 company

How Nimbus Control 2007 supports the ERP/CRM system lifecycle

An alternative, proven approach:
In simple terms it is about engaging business users early and improving business requirements understanding. When all stakeholders understand how the resulting ERP/CRM system will support end-user processes and what is critical to the business, everyone is focused on the same outcomes. The transparency in this approach results in faster, more effective configuration, more accurate approval cycles, fewer change requests and more effective testing, training and end-user deployment.

Sustaining business efficiency and excellence:
Nimbus Control 2007 can deliver significant benefits long after an ERP/CRM implementation project is complete. Whenever companies need to improve business efficiency, streamline processes or change the model, Whitehouse Consultants and Nimbus Control 2007 can assist in quickly achieve business objectives.

For more information about Nimbus visit their web-site at www.nimbuspartners.com