The Complete Guide for Business Process Management (BPM) Training

Whether you are a small startup or a large company, your organisation requires seamless business processes to empower business process management teams to make data-driven decisions and provide customer experiences that are consistently exceptional. All these can only be achieved with effective BPM strategies.

But here’s the catch: successful BPM isn’t just about adopting the latest trends. It’s about equipping your team with the right tools and knowledge to drive this transformation. Here, BPM training becomes crucial to serve as a vital tool for successfully implementing proven BPM strategies.

In this blog, we dive into the critical role that BPM training plays in bringing your strategic vision to life. We will uncover all the aspects of how BPM training empowers your workforce to not only navigate the complexities of modern business but also to lead the charge in reshaping them.

Role of BPM Training in BPM Strategy Implementation

BPM strategy implementation involves aligning business processes with the organisation’s goals and objectives. It requires a deep understanding of the existing processes, potential areas for improvement, and the technological tools that can be harnessed to analyse and optimise these processes. While technology is undeniably a cornerstone of BPM, the human element remains irreplaceable. Employees at all levels need to comprehend the principles of BPM, its benefits, and how it ties into their roles.

Effective training programs are instrumental in bridging the knowledge gap and cultivating a culture of BPM proficiency within the organisation. Let’s have a closer look at the role of training in BPM strategy implementation:

1. Awareness and Buy-in: Employees need to know BPM’s rationale and how it can positively impact their daily work. Training sessions serve as platforms to communicate the “why” of BPM, fostering buy-in and enthusiasm among the BPM teams.

2. Skill Development: BPM strategies often involve using specialised software and tools. Training helps the BPM team develop the necessary skills to operate these tools efficiently. It also imparts business process management skills, such as process mapping and modelling skills, analytical skills, project management skills, etc., enabling them to address process challenges effectively.

3. Process Understanding: A comprehensive grasp of existing processes and their interdependencies is critical. Training sessions elucidate the nuances of different processes, enabling employees to identify bottlenecks and opportunities for enhancement.

4. Implementing Changes: Effective business process management can significantly change how tasks are executed. Proper training equips employees to adapt to new working methods, minimising resistance to change.

5. Consistency: BPM aims to standardise processes for consistent outcomes. Training ensures that all team members follow the same protocols, reducing process variability and improving overall quality.

6. Continuous Improvement: BPM is an iterative process. Regular training updates keep employees abreast of evolving strategies and technologies, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

7. Cross-functional Collaboration: BPM often requires collaboration across departments. Training sessions create a shared understanding and common language, enhancing communication and collaboration among diverse teams.

8. Problem-Solving: Ingraining problem-solving skills through training enables process management teams to identify inefficiencies, suggest improvements, and contribute to the organisation’s overall efficiency.

9. Leadership Alignment: Training ensures that BPM leaders and managers comprehend BPM strategies thoroughly. This alignment is vital for decision-making and creating an encouraging environment for successful BPM implementation.

How to Determine If a Business Needs to Conduct BPM Training

Every organisation initiating its BPM journey must have a BPM training session for its process improvement team. Even if you already have a BPM program, you must conduct regular training sessions to reinforce the concepts learnt and ensure all the team members are aligned. While training sessions should be a regular feature, here are some tell-tale signs that your process improvement team needs BPM training:

1. Process Bottlenecks and Inefficiencies

Despite buying BPM software, if you are witnessing persistent bottlenecks, delays, and inefficiencies in your business processes, which hinder productivity and impact customer satisfaction, it’s a sign that your team needs BPM training.

2. Experiencing Lack of Standardisation

Inconsistent processes across departments or teams can lead to confusion, errors, and increased costs. If your business lacks standardised processes, BPM training can promote uniformity and best practices to ensure standardised documentation across the organisation using the right methodology such as globally recognised standards for process modelling, such as BPMN.

3. Facing Challenges to Implement Changes in Organisation

When implementing new technologies or procedures, resistance to change can affect progress. Practical BPM training can help process management teams to work efficiently on minimising the impact of changes on their daily tasks, team members, and customers, resulting in smoother transitions and improved business outcomes. With relevant knowledge in the team, organisations can identify and evaluate people-related risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.

4. Lack of Data-Driven Decision-Making

If your process improvement decisions are based on intuition rather than data, then BPM training can equip your team with the relevant process analysis and improvement techniques to understand where the most significant improvement opportunities lie.

Steps to Select the Right BPM Training Program

The key to harnessing the potential of BPM lies in selecting the right training program. Let’s delve into the vital steps to choose the perfect BPM training program:

Step 1: Define Your Objectives

Begin by identifying your organisation’s goals and the specific skills you aim to acquire or develop through BPM training. Whether it’s team upskilling or increasing the usage and acceptance of BPM software, having a clear purpose will guide your training program selection.

Step 2: Assess Training Content

Evaluate the content of various BPM training programs. To ensure clarity and consistency in process documentation, a BPM training program should focus on process mapping using globally recognised standards such as BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation). It must also include topics on process methodology, process attributes, process analysis and improvement techniques, and leveraging BPM for compliance adherence.

Step 3: Delivery Format

Consider the delivery format that best suits your learning style and schedule. While both online and in-person BPM training programs have unique advantages, online BPM training ensures that professionals can access top-tier BPM training without compromising work commitments.

Step 4: Instructor Expertise

The quality of instruction plays a pivotal role in the effectiveness of a training program. Choose a training program curated by BPM experts. Learning from professionals who have successfully implemented BPM strategies adds immense value to the training experience.

Step 5: Hands-on Experience

BPM is the best learnt through practical application. Look for training programs incorporating hands-on exercises and quizzes that let you map and analyse your own processes for greater concept understanding. These aspects help the real-world application of BPM theories and concepts learnt in the program.

Step 6: Assessments 

Post-BPM training assessment offers employees a crucial window into their progress. Participants gauge their understanding of BPM concepts through structured evaluations to identify growth areas. This iterative process empowers individuals, enabling them to align personal development with organisational goals effectively.

Step 7: Review and Cost Analysis

Consider the cost of the training program and the potential return on investment. Examine reviews, testimonials, and feedback from past participants to evaluate the training’s effectiveness and overall quality. Consider the trainers’ experience, expertise, and history of delivering successful BPM training sessions.

Step 8: Ongoing Support

BPM is a journey, not a destination. Look for programs offering post-training support, such as access to resources or chat support. Choose a provider that provides comprehensive support in implementing learnt strategies effectively and troubleshooting challenges. A partner in success empowers companies to optimise processes long-term.

Essential Elements of BPM Courses

Business Process Management (BPM) courses equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to address real-life BPM pain points within organisations. These courses should encompass various essential elements and modules to understand BPM principles and practices comprehensively. Here are some key modules that must be covered in BPM courses:

BPM Methodology

As per the Global Real-Time BPM Survey findings, over 42% out of 4,412 BPM professionals globally recognised the ‘Lack of Standard Methodology’ as the biggest reason that prevents organisations from achieving their business objectives. Hence, ensure your training program focuses on providing the knowledge of BPMN. Standard BPM methodology provides a structured approach to designing, implementing, and continually enhancing business processes, allowing professionals to clearly understand what and when to do to achieve operational goals. It addresses pivotal questions, such as the level of information to be captured in process maps, ensuring consistency and accuracy in process mapping.

Process Mapping using Globally Recognised Standards

The Global BPM Survey also noted that nearly 59% (2603) of professionals rated their BPMN (a globally accepted language for process modelling) knowledge as average or below average. Proficiency in BPMN is important for clear and consistent process mapping. Hence, choose a course that includes BPMN symbols and rules concepts.

Capturing Process Attributes

An effective BPM training program should underscore the significance of capturing process attributes. This entails efficiently gathering additional details such as KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed) matrix, compliance requirements, and more. Teams can elevate their process analysis and improvement outcomes by enriching process maps with these attributes.

Process Interview Preparation

Stakeholder interviews play a pivotal role in gathering insights about the current process and identifying areas for enhancement. A comprehensive BPM training course should include details on identifying process participants, ways for conducting effective process interviews and capturing essential details.

Process Analysis Techniques

Make sure you choose a BPM training program encompassing advanced process analysis techniques, empowering participants to identify process issues and make informed decisions for business improvement. Notable process analysis techniques include Value Analysis, Process Cost Analysis, Process Cycle Time Analysis and Process Cycle Efficiency Analysis.

Process Improvement Techniques: An effective BPM training program equips participants with techniques to identify and implement improvement ideas that yield significant benefits to establish a process approval mechanism and foster collaborative process improvement efforts.

How to Measure BPM Training Impact

The impact of BPM training on strategy implementation isn’t a vague notion; it’s a measurable outcome. Organisations must assess how training improves process efficiency, better decision-making, and overall business performance. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can be established to track the effectiveness of training programs. KPIs include metrics such as process cycle time reduction, error rate reduction, increased customer satisfaction scores, and enhanced employee engagement. By analysing these metrics before and after implementing BPM training, organisations can quantify the training’s impact on strategy execution.

The effectiveness of BPM training can be assessed through well-defined success metrics. These metrics should align with the organisation’s strategic objectives and provide tangible insights into the impact of training on business outcomes. Examples of success metrics include:

• Process Efficiency: Measure improvements in process cycle times, throughput, and resource utilisation after employees have undergone BPM training. 
• Quantify Error Reduction: Quantify the decrease in errors, defects, or rework in processes optimised post-BPM training.
• Cost and Time Savings: Analyse the cost and time savings achieved through optimised processes. This could include reduced operational expenses, resource allocation, waste reduction and the time required to complete the task.
• Employee Engagement: Assess employees’ engagement levels who have undergone BPM training. Engaged employees are more likely to contribute to the success of strategy implementation.

How to Ensure Long-Term Success with BPM Training

The success of BPM training goes beyond the initial learning phase. To truly harness its benefits, a long-term approach is essential. Below are the points essential to lasting success with BPM training.

1. Continuous Learning: Embracing Evolution

BPM is a dynamic field, constantly evolving with technology and industry trends. Encourage a culture of continuous learning within your organisation. Provide opportunities for ongoing training, webinars, and workshops to keep participants updated on the latest developments. This flexibility ensures that your BPM practices remain relevant and effective over time.

2. Bridging the Gap between Theory and Reality

The real value of BPM training lies in its application. Encourage participants to apply what they’ve learned to real-world scenarios. Assign projects that challenge them to analyse processes, identify bottlenecks, and propose improvements. The practical experience reinforces theoretical knowledge and hone problem-solving skills.

3. Collaboration and Cross-Functional Teams

Successful BPM extends beyond individual expertise—Foster collaboration among cross-functional teams. BPM training should emphasise the importance of communication and coordination across departments. When different perspectives come together, holistic process improvements can be achieved.

4. Measuring Progress through KPIs

Monitor the impact of BPM training through well-defined KPIs and set measurable goals that align with your organisation’s objectives. Regularly track metrics like process cycle times, error rates, and resource utilisation. These quantitative measures provide insights into the progress of current mapping from the old one.

5. Recognition and Rewards: Fostering Engagement

Acknowledge and reward individuals and teams for their contributions to BPM success. Recognition fosters a sense of accomplishment and motivates participants to continue engaging with BPM initiatives. This positive reinforcement sustains enthusiasm over the long term.

Empower your BPM Project with the Right Training

Implementing proven Business Process Management (BPM) strategies stands as a linchpin for sustained success for organisations. BPM training is more than just a means to an end; it’s an investment in the organisation’s future. The journey doesn’t end with implementing strategies; it’s a cyclical learning, improvement, and adaptation process. By nurturing a learning culture and integrating training with performance management, organisations ensure that their BPM strategies remain agile and effective in a rapidly changing business landscape.

Ready to unlock the full potential of your organisation’s BPM strategies? Amidst the plethora of choices, PRIME BPM stands out as a pioneer in BPM training. Having trained 5,000+ participants and delivered 400 courses, PRIME BPM is a reputed provider of BPM training programs. The concept courses are available as a two-part program.

• BPM Foundations and Process Mapping Course
• Process Analysis and Improvement Course

These courses are designed by experts with over 20 years of experience in training hundreds of leading organisations. The courses include the process mapping, analysis and improvement techniques gathered from over 200+ successful BPM deployments. The programs are conducted online and include interactive concepts designed to help you learn or enhance your BPM skills anytime at your pace.

Read more about the concepts covered in the courses at: https://www.primebpm.com/bpm-training/