Business

Understanding BPMN

Understanding BPMN

Contents

BPMN stands for Business Process Modeling Notation. It is practically visual modeling language that is used in business analysis applications. It is also utilized to specify enterprise process workflows (a fully open standard notation used for the graphical flowcharts used in defining business process workflows). 

BPMN is highly intuitive and popular. It is very easy to understand when you are aware of it and you are a business stakeholder. This includes business analysts, data architects, software developers, and business users. 

History

Business Process Modeling Notation was derived through the synthesis of several business modeling notations. In its original 2004 form, the BPMI (Business Process Management Initiative) published it and managed it. Now, BPMN is maintained by the work of OMG. This started in 2005 as OMG (Object Management Group) merged with BPMI. 

In 2006, the OMG released new BPMN specifications. Then, in 2010 we saw the development of the second version. The latest formally published version by ISO appeared in 2013 and it is considered to be the current standard. 

BPMN Benefits

With the use of BPMN, we can document and capture business processes. This is done in a consistent and clear way. All the relevant stakeholders are going to be able to understand what is being recorded. This involves business users and process owners. A team is thus capable of responding to identified issues. Basically, operations become more efficient. 

The BPMN standard gives use very comprehensive and rich notations. Both non-technical and technical stakeholders will understand them. Organizations and companies instantly gain access to important benefits. The most important ones are:

  • OMG is an industry group created as a not-for-profit organization. As a result, the industry standard developed is the same for everyone. 
  • Businesses can easily define and then understand procedures with the use of business process diagrams. 
  • Standard notations guarantee that every single stakeholder understands the data that is presented. 
  • The communication gap often appearing between the implementation and the design of a business process is bridged. 
  • BPMN is very easy to learn. Even so, it is powerful and can depict any business process’s complexities. 

BPMN Goals

BPMN aims to put technical experts in charge and make them responsible for the implementation of a business. Then, the business analysts are empowered to improve and create processes. Lastly, managers in charge of monitoring and controlling business processes can get the job done better. 

Quick BPMN Overview

Business process improvement is practically impossible when you are not aware of how a business operates. This is why BPMN was developed, to give you access to graphical business workflow representations you can easily understand. Business process analysis becomes more efficient, together with business process improvements, all because everyone involved in the business process is capable of “speaking the same language”.

Processes that are described with the use of BPMN are represented as steps (sometimes referred to as activities). These steps are consequently performed or they are performed at the same time, all based on business rules. 

On the whole, BPMN was capable of drastically improving how business processes are handled and created.

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