What is Business Process Management and How to Implement It with Low-Code

Business Process Management and Low-Code: What It Is, How It Works, Visual Languages and Tools, the Difference from Workflows, the Benefits, Examples of Solutions, and How to Develop.

 

What is Business Process Management


Business Process Management (BPM) is a structured approach aimed at optimizing the processes organizations use to carry out operational activities, serve customers, and generate value. A business process is a set of activities designed to achieve specific organizational goals, such as increasing profits or promoting workforce diversity. BPM applies various methods to improve business processes through analysis, modeling in different scenarios, implementing changes, monitoring, and continuous improvement to achieve the desired results.

The Lifecycle, the Importance of Governance, and BPM Software

A BPM project is structured in a lifecycle composed of five phases:

  • Design (analysis of current processes and design of processes to be improved),
  • Modeling (process drawing),
  • Execution,
  • Monitoring,
  • Optimization (analysis of possible improvements).

It is a continuous activity of process improvement, where the outcome of the last phase becomes the starting point of the first phase of the next cycle. The goal is to constantly align processes with objectives, despite internal and external dynamics and changes.
Business Process Management activities help maintain simple and clear Governance, especially as the complexity and scale of business processes increase, where it is essential to maintain control, ensuring both efficiency and performance effectiveness.
To simplify the management and execution of complex processes, BPM software has been developed to enable their management and automation (Business Process Automation - BPA).

 

the circle graphic of the Business Process Management lifecycle, including the phases of design, modeling, execution, monitoring and optimization

 

From BPM to Business Process Automation


Business Process Automation (BPA) involves the use of digital technologies to automate as many manual and repetitive tasks as possible within business processes, which are a series of activities aimed at achieving a common business goal. Its objective is to increase operational efficiency, eliminate errors, standardize processes, and free people from low-value tasks so they can focus on more strategic activities. Business Process Automation developed alongside the emergence of automation systems and is part of Business Process Management (BPM). The technologies used may include Low-Code platforms, which allow for the definition of business processes and the creation of applications that implement management and automation through a visual approach.

Business Process Automation follows a lifecycle based on Business Process Management but adds the automation of activities within processes. It begins with a design phase, during which the business area to be automated is identified, KPIs are defined to monitor performance, and technologies to be used are chosen. Subsequently, in the modeling phase, processes are graphically represented, for example, using BPMN notation as in the WebRatio platform. Then, the execution of automation proceeds, integrating them into company IT systems and monitoring results through established KPIs. From the data collected during monitoring, the optimization phase aims to improve performance by identifying new automation opportunities, enhancing integrations between systems, and adopting more advanced technologies. 

 

The graphic of the BPA lifecycle

 

How to implement Business Process Management with Low-Code

 

Low-Code platforms that integrate Business Process Management systems offer the possibility to design processes and define roles, actions, and information flows between different actors involved. Synchronization of BPM projects with web and mobile projects, created with the Low-Code IFML language in WebRatio Platform, allows the implementation of processes and automation in applications. The result is the rapid development of digital solutions orchestrated by the process model and compliant with business rules defined in the design phase.

Visual definition, synchronization with applications, integration, control, and analysis
 

The visual definition of business processes in WebRatio Platform eliminates the need to use other design tools before developing applications. Business Process Management projects are therefore not simple graphic mockups, but real digital models that are synchronized with enterprise application projects to manage their activities.
BPM projects can also include multiple applications, web, mobile, legacy systems, external or third-party, through data exchange via APIs. This allows for complete orchestration and a holistic view of all business processes, to improve governance, control, and process analysis.

The modeling language

WebRatio Platform's visual language dedicated to business process design is Business Process Modeling and Notation (BPMN), an international open modeling standard. The BPMN standard is the common language of professionals dealing with business processes and simplifies communication between different roles involved in digital innovation in companies, as its graphic representation contains all the specifications necessary to define business processes..

 

the business process management development area in WebRatio Platform where is used BPMN

Visual tools

WebRatio Platform's BPM system includes visual tools useful for controlling and analyzing business processes, such as the Business Process Diagram.
This tool simplifies management because it's possible to see the status of a business process, knowing, for example, in which phase it is or if it has ended.

Better management and work quality

Digital process management simplifies design, control, and monitoring, with detailed tracking of activities, for better analysis of performance, with a view to optimization and performance improvement. Automations relieve staff of repetitive low-value-added activities, such as data entry, updating, sending emails, and notifications. The time saved can be used for more strategic activities, starting with the definition and management of processes, also working side by side with Low-Coders for continuous innovation of applications and automation systems.

Business Process Management and Agile Methodology

The combination of BPM with Low-Code in platforms offers superior development performance and quality compared to traditional methods. Process management and automation enter into agile development cycles, where in a few sprints, the structure of processes and applications used for activities can be modified. The design and release of software in a very short time give companies the reactivity necessary to respond to the continuous evolutions of markets, organizations, and information systems. Technologies become a competitive advantage because they accelerate change and business innovation.

 

The difference with other technologies

 

colleagues watching at business process in pc monitor

Business Process and Workflow

A business process can be very complex and includes many activities to achieve a business objective, such as performance improvement. Its automation focuses on standardization and efficiency improvement at the company level.
A workflow, on the other hand, concerns individual personal tasks, and automation allows for the improvement of daily activities, but without real orchestration and centralized management and with the sole objective of completing the task in the shortest possible time.  

Download the infographic describing all the differences >

collegues analyze complex business process

BPA and Hyperautomation  

Business Process Automation technologies, along with Low-Code, RPA (Robotic Process Automation), AI (Artificial Intelligence), and advanced data analysis, make up the set of innovative technologies that implement Hyperautomation, i.e., the use of a process automation approach that allows organizations to automate not only repetitive and manual activities but also complex and poorly structured processes that also require data-based decisions.

 

Download the case study on Hyperautomation >

 

The advantages for the entire company of business process management

 

Business Process Management brings numerous advantages: better governance, process standardization, error elimination, increased speed in execution, and reduced activity costs. With automation, staff can dedicate themselves to more strategic and productive activities. Companies can more easily manage and control processes, optimizing and innovating them continuously. This translates into higher quality, job satisfaction, and better business performance.

 

Better governance and risk prevention

 

Creating business applications guided by process design allows for better governance, as it improves the clarity of the structure of business activities and their interdependencies, as well as the clarity of objectives, with the definition of performance KPIs, and the definition of responsibilities, because they are managed by designed business rules.
With visual process design and management, prevention also improves, as it's easier to identify critical activities that require greater control. The continuous monitoring of process compliance with defined rules also allows for demonstrating adherence to standards and regulations.

 

 
 

Benefits for all stakeholders

 

 

For the IT department

  • Standard BPMN notation is easily understandable even by businesses, for better collaboration;
  • Rapid design, modeling, and implementation of software systems;
  • Faster prototyping;
  • Integration and orchestration of processes in multiple applications;
  • Integration and orchestration of processes related to legacy systems;
  • Quality and security of application code guaranteed by the platform;

For non-IT departments

  • Digitization and simplification of processes;
  • Dematerialization of paper material with time and cost savings;
  • Reduction of errors and repetitive activities;
  • Elimination of dispersive management through shared folders, Excel sheets, etc.;
  • Uniformity of software tools and interfaces used, with improved user experience;
  • Integration with existing legacy systems, to better exploit data and information already present in the company.

For Managers

  • Graphical visualization of the process and its progress;
  • Improved process analysis;
  • Complete data tracking for audits, statistics, and performance reviews;
  • Simplified distribution policy to assign activities and workloads based on objective data;
  • Elimination of uncertainty in processes;
  • Use of resources in more productive activities;
  • Process versioning: coexistence of different versions;
  • Simplified Business Process Optimization;
  • Automatic documentation of processes.

For Directors and CXO

  • Simpler orchestration, centralization, and governance of business processes;
  • Standardization and uniformity of processes and interchangeability of personnel;
  • Reduction of activity costs;
  • Increased productivity of resources;
  • Greater data security;
  • Simplification of governance;
  • Greater adherence to company rules and procedures.
 

An example of BPM software with WebRatio Platform

 

Results obtained by Ricoh Italia

icon of 27% increase of machines correctly connected



 



of machines
correctly
connected

 

icon of 14% of Service Operation Center staff



 



productivity of
Service Operation
Center staff

 

icon of 37% increase in remote fixing



 



remote fixing on
both actual and
potential failures

 

Hyperautomation for Ricoh Italia: BPM, BPA, RPA, and Low-Code

The Japanese company reduced double interventions by 27% and increased Service Operation Center productivity by 14%. The Hyperautomation solutions implemented automate Sales and Sales activities, integrating Business and Robotic Process Automation technologies.

Read the case study >  

 

 

Video: BPM Development with WebRatio 

Business Process Management with WebRatio Platform

To learn more about process management and automation with Low-Code, you can access and view a complete BPM leasing request project in just a few minutes. The system includes both a mobile and web app, involving the company's front-office and back-office, with automation of credit evaluation and contract generation processes.
 

Now you can find out:

Our Company

We are an international software factory that has been creating innovative solutions for companies.

Success Stories

Different big companies have chosen us and found the perfect digital solution for their business

Our Digital Solutions

With WebRatio you can renew your business. Take inspiration from our solutions tailored to your industry