Good digital processes support end-to-end
Hallo CxopartnersTechnology doesn't magically create good processes.
Digital processes begin with process optimization.
As technological possibilities increase, so do the options for implementing digitalization within a company. Digital processes build upon sound analog workflows and are implemented gradually. Digitalization often begins with the automation of individual steps within an existing process.
These automated steps simplify the workflow and offer advantages, but there is still a long way to go before the process is fully digital.
What constitutes a digital process
💡 A clean digital process ensures that everything runs smoothly from start to finish. This means that every step in the business process is supported by automated workflows to increase productivity through faster processing and error-free operation.
The beginning is the triggering event for the business process, and the end is the concluding event along with the expected result. Let's look at how automation can digitally support this.
What can automated processes be?
With automated processes, we describe various options for optimizing a process:
- Management of workflows within and between systems
- Analysis of input data
- Generation and calculation of output data
- Sending emails
- Output of statistics
A good practical example is the processing of data from an online form or an ordering system. By entering this data, order confirmations can be sent to the customer, orders can be created in the supplier system, and inventory changes can be automatically triggered in various systems . With our data hub CLUE, this is even possible across company boundaries.
The optimal digital process runs automatically.
Ideally, for maximum efficiency, the digitized process can run completely automatically and requires human intervention only in exceptional cases. In our experience, such processes are best developed in several steps:
- Optimization of the existing process
- Partial automation with continuous improvement (CIP)
- Full automation of the entire business process
The individual steps are influenced both by the necessary accompanying organizational changes in the workflow and by the often surprisingly large number of dependent systems and business processes. We are happy to assist you with our expertise!
A simple example of an automated workflow is, for example, an ordering process for a ticket in a mobile application - here, ordering, payment and delivery are digitally controlled.
What are the requirements for digital processes?
Focus on the following three implementation topics to achieve a good digital process:
- Identify the work steps and the flow in the entire business process: Find out exactly what happens in your workflow, step by step.
- Create a central control system (workflow or orchestration) for the digital process: Appoint a kind of process manager who monitors and controls your workflow.
- Consider the integration into dependent, non-automated workflows: Remember that other manual processes still need to function and be well integrated with the automated processes.
Let's look at the individual topics for implementing a digital process:
Identify the beginning and end of the business process.
Digital processes are supported end-to-end through the intelligent use of technology . It is important to distinguish the business process selected for digitization from dependent workflows.
The process begins with an initial event, such as the receipt of an email or a status change in a system. The end of a business process, in turn, is a specific event, such as the posting of a payment. It is important to note that a business process always leads to specific results that are relevant to the company .
Control the digital process centrally
Once the entire process has been identified, the next focus is on centrally controlling the workflow and ensuring correct data processing. For fast, error-free, and resource-efficient digital workflows, interconnected systems within the company are essential.
Create a seamless process across your diverse system and solution landscape and rely on centralized control to track processes, status, and progress. Solutions for workflow management, process automation, or comprehensive solutions like our CLUE digitalization platform are suitable for this purpose.
Consider a non-automated process environment
If only individual business processes are digitized, then it is important to consider dependent processes and to ensure that a digital process is well integrated into its environment.
For example, well-prepared results and proactive communication to the next person responsible are helpful for further processing. The better the digital process is integrated into the company's existing workflows, the more likely the progress will be accepted .
Our goal is to shift the focus from pure technology to good processes, thereby providing companies with the easiest access to sustainable digitalization. You can learn why you should create a good process before implementing a technological solution by following the link below to our blog post:
Recommended reading
Our conclusion
Start your digitalization with a clearly defined business process , where you digitally support the entire process and automate individual work steps. For dependent and surrounding workflows, ensure that necessary work results and status are transferred in a meaningful format.
Tip: Digitize along existing processes. This means that workflows dependent on a digital process are very well suited for the next digitization step.
This is how you create the best conditions for the successful digitalization of your company.
Questions? We'd love to hear from you!
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