BPMN Diagrams for Business Process Modeling

The basic principle of a business process diagram

BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation) is a standardized visual representation of the process that a company carries out to achieve the expected result. 

The purpose of the BPMN notation is to provide a clear view of a process from start to finish. It visualizes the path of process implementation, demonstrating the sequence of business operations required to move from one point to another.

The principle of BPMN is quite simple: the tool creates a graphical notation to define the required business process. The diagram looks like a flowchart, which clearly describes the algorithm for building and solving the necessary tasks.

Thus, a business process diagram is built by combining the main parts, such as:

• goal or result
• process steps (keywords: event, action, gateway, flow)
• departments or people involved
• conditions or rules of transition to the next step
• necessary tools (devices, tools, software, etc.)

Advantages of using BPMN

The use of BPMN in business allows not only to model processes but also to actively implement changes, improving the quality of management and the overall efficiency of the company. The main advantages are:

Enhance understanding of business processes

Creating graphical diagrams is intuitive and easy to understand. This facilitates communication between different departments and teams, allowing all project participants to clearly understand business processes and their interrelationships.

Reduce errors and improve efficiency

The diagram allows you to identify and eliminate errors in business processes at the modeling stage. This helps to avoid wasting time and resources on fixing problems at later stages of the process. It also contributes to high efficiency and quality of tasks.

Easy to adapt and make changes

Understanding the diagrams does not require deep technical knowledge, which allows business analysts and managers to implement changes without a huge workload on the IT department.

Support strategic decision-making

Modeling business processes with BPMN helps managers analyze and make strategic decisions. They can more easily assess the impact of changes in business processes on various aspects of the company and identify opportunities for automation.

High interaction with process participants 

Clear and user-friendly diagrams facilitate interaction between different participants in business processes, making suggestions from different departments, increasing the level of involvement and support.

Key steps and tools for building BPMN

Business process modeling includes several key steps that help to map, optimize, and manage business processes. Let's take a closer look at these steps:

1. Write down all the processes – you need to understand what needs each task covers
2. Define the boundaries of the business process: start and end. When creating a diagram, remember what processes you want to see and what the ultimate goal is
3. Identify all internal business process events and system actions
4. Assign roles at all stages
5. Set rules and conditions. Use manuals and other documents that describe the process or the work of the users involved

These are the most popular charting tools:

• Draw.io
• Bizagi Process Modeler
• ARIS
• Business Studio
• Camunda 
• Microsoft Visio
• BPM Online

Examples of use

You can apply the diagram to any process in a variety of business sectors where it helps to increase efficiency, optimize processes, and provide a high level of control over business operations. Let's look at a few examples:

Improving the customer service process

• Process mapping: processing requests, handling complaints, setting up services, and resolving technical issues
• Effectiveness: improves customer service and increases the efficiency of request processing

Optimization of logistics processes

• Process mapping: order acceptance, warehouse logistics processing, shipping and delivery
• Effectiveness: allows you to improve lead times, reduce inventory and improve supply management

Process implementation for banks

• Process mapping: steps in the loan process, which may include application, credit check, approval and disbursement of the loan
• Effectiveness: allows the bank to optimize and control the process, as well as to ensure compliance with rules and standards

Business process optimization for the healthcare industry

• Process mapping: patient care, medical records, treatment coordination and interaction between medical staff
• Effectiveness: allows you to improve the availability of medical information and reduce service time

To summarize, a business process diagram can help you understand how a process works and allow you to identify gaps that lead to reduced efficiency. Using BPMN simplifies both information exchange and teamwork.

If you are thinking about improving your company's business processes, leave your contacts in the form. Our manager will contact you, consult you, and offer the best solution for your business.