Understanding Business Processes

While an organization chart of a business shows its functional and hierarchical structure – who does what and who has authority – the process perspective on the way that businesses actually work, survive and prosper, reveals a different truth about value-chains where power, and importance-to-survival, look very different.

The process perspective on a business is a different paradigm in which to examine, understand and, most importantly, to improve a business in order to make it better able to compete and survive.

The process view, captured by the work of Stafford Beer and his intellectual heirs, is challenging and sometimes difficult to follow, but is worth perseverance since it offers a very powerful tool set for anyone seeking to understand and improve business performance.

This Understanding Business Processes training course will feature:

• What does the term mean and why is this a different paradigm?
• What is the practical payoff for the organization of adopting this perspective?
• When is the perspective more or less appropriate?
• Demonstration of the application of the perspective
• Where in the organization and by whom should the perspective be used?

By the end of This Understanding Business Processes training course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the distinctive process perspective and its links to TQM and “Lean”
• Analyze their own and other businesses with a process perspective
• Use the technique to diagnose problems and identify improvement opportunities
• Explain the process to colleagues so as to improve the “meta-management” of their businesses
• Take a strategic “value-chain analysis” view of their business and the challenges that it must overcome to survive and prosper

This Understanding Business Processes training course in London will utilise a variety of proven adult learning techniques to ensure maximum understanding, comprehension and retention of the information presented. This includes senior and middle managers who are aspiring to general management positions and individuals seeking an understanding of this key element of the top manager’s tool kit. It is also relevant to C-level leaders looking to expand their business.

This Understanding Business Processes training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

• Headquarters staff in complex organizations across all business sectors and public administration
• Senior leaders in Marketing, Finance, Operations and HR functions
• Senior Programme and Project Management staff
• Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) leaders aiming to grow their businesses
• Junior managers seeking to develop a coherent view of business organization and improvement and acquire a toolkit of lasting value

This Understanding Business Processes training course will use a variety of proven adult-learning techniques to ensure maximum understanding, comprehension and retention of the information presented. This includes classroom-based learning and discussion with a competitive practical team element. Case studies and practical simulations of the process analytics approach and methodology. Critical examination of major companies’ business processes. Production of a process “atlas” for an imaginary company with role-play exercises using the proven methodology.