What is business process re-engineering (BPR)?

Business process re-engineering involves re-examining a business's essentials-fundamental processes and customer values-with the aim of realising radical improvement in business performance. BPR starts with the important assets of the organisation: core competency, personnel, skills, knowledge, customer relationships, market image and information. It attempts to recombine these assets in new and innovative ways to help companies gain competitive advantage.

What is this course about?

This course is about effecting radical change to business processes through the application of technology solutions. There's a strong element of creative thinking involved, exploiting the breakthrough potential of technology to bring about dramatic refocusing of business strategy. Improvements arising from business process re-engineering may affect the whole enterprise. The course will also provide support for those delegates whose change initiatives are less ambitious, giving techniques for process simplification and process improvement to target both tactical and operational areas.

What does BPR have to do with information technology?

One of the primary features of BPR is that it takes a fresh look at everything a company does, and works to stimulate significant change in how a business operates. Processes that were first put in place 20 years ago, in the age of paperwork, can be updated to incorporate today's global data access technology. For this reason, business process re-engineering is typically accompanied by the development of new internal technology systems. Thus, general knowledge of the state of the technical market can be very helpful when undertaking BPR and it is not unusual for technology professionals to often find themselves on BPR teams.

What kinds of people benefit from this course and why?

Attendees come from a wide variety of positions within their organisations, but are most typically from the ranks of middle to upper management. Some are considering or embarking on a business re-engineering project; others are just evaluating the process. The mix of background and experience adds greatly to the workshops, where attendees often learn much from the war stories of their colleagues.

Do I need a technical background to benefit from this course?

A technical background is not assumed for this course. However, an awareness of technical issues is helpful, especially when discussing technology innovation and the effect of these on re-engineering. Knowledge of business operations and business practise is also helpful.

Is this course conceptual or practical in its approach?

The course concentrates on the practicalities and basics of business process re-engineering and not on academic theories or philosophy. It includes proven techniques for business process re-engineering and introduces some revolutionary concepts. The basic approach consists of eight distinct phases which form the CLAMBRE (Customer Led Analytic Method for Business Re-Engineering) framework.

The Unified Modelling Language (UML) is used as the standard modelling notation throughout the course, supplemented by additional matrix and checklist techniques.

Will I learn about software tools that facilitate re-engineering?

The course includes demonstrations of re-engineering software tools, during which you learn the capabilities and limitations of these tools. Software tools such as Enterprise Architect are available for hands-on access, and others are available for demonstration.

How much time is spent on each topic?

What are the course workshops like?

Approximately 50 percent of the course is spent on workshops that reinforce the material presented in lecture. Workshops involve both group and individual effort. There is at least one workshop each morning and each afternoon. Workshops simulate real-life re-engineering problems and are used as platforms for practicing techniques, discussing issues and raising concerns.

Does the course use any particular formalism or notation?

Yes, the course uses UML (Unified Modelling Language), which is an internationally agreed upon standard for modelling both business and software systems. There's great benefit in using UML for business modelling. It provides an easy migration towards a detailed description of a supporting software system. Thus, both business modelers and software modelers can now communicate effectively using a common notation.

How is UML used?

CLAMBRE makes use of the UML for mapping out business processes. You learn how to read and interpret UML diagrams with the twin goals of understanding the business process and producing a new design for the customer. Use case diagrams assist in defining scope; activity diagrams with partitions or swim lanes are used to map out the overall information and control flow. Domain and structure is modelled using class diagrams; and workflow is shown using communication diagrams.

Is this course applicable toward a Project Management Institute (PMI) certification?

Yes. Though this course is not designed as preparation for an exam, it is beneficial to anyone working toward, or maintaining, a PMI certification. Most PMI certifications require a specific number of PDUs in order to obtain and maintain the credential. Completion of this course provides 23 professional development units (PDUs).

Learning Tree offers several courses that help you prepare for PMI certifications, including Course 276, Preparing for the Project Management Professional (PMP)^® Exam, which prepares you for PMI's most popular certification. For more details on these courses and PMI certifications, please see the Learning Tree PMI Registered Education Provider Q&A.

Is this course endorsed by the IIBA^®?

Yes. Learning Tree is an Endorsed Education Provider (EEP^TM) by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA^®). This course has been approved by the IIBA^® as supporting core concepts and knowledge outlined by IIBA^®'s Business Analysis Body of Knowledge^® (BABOK^®). Completion of this course counts as 23 continuing development units (CDUs) that will assist you in qualifying for or maintaining the Certified Business Analysis Professional^TM (CBAP^®) certification. For more information about CDUs and how to register them with the IIBA^®, please see the Learning Tree IIBA^® EEP^TM Q&A or http://www.theiiba.org.

The IIBA^®, an independent, nonprofit professional association for business analysts, created the BABOK^®, which is a collection of knowledge for professional business analysts. The BABOK^® reflects generally accepted practices and describes business analysis areas of knowledge, their associated activities and tasks, and the skills necessary to be effective in their execution.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

Successful business process re-engineering often involves the implementation of new information technologies. Learning Tree International offers courses both in technology implementation and management skills required to re-engineer and to change business process. Courses of particular interest include:

• 447, Introduction to Modelling for Business Analysis provides the knowledge and skills to leverage critical modeling techniques to become a successful business analyst
• 288, Achieving APMG Change Management Practitioner Certification provides the knowledge and skills to guide the people in your workplace through the process of change
• 1801, Modern Object-Oriented Software Design: Hands-On offers the skills to deliver software on time and within budget using iterative and Agile strategies
• 315, Developing User Requirements: The Key to Project Success applies real-world techniques to specify, elicit, analyse, validate and manage the requirements that create a framework for project success
• 211, Introduction to Business Analysis: Defining Successful Projects is valuable to those who need to apply the knowledge and skills of the business analyst role within their organisation
• 424, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA): A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction offers a foundation in the concepts, modeling, design and implementation of SOA
• 294, Influence Skills: Getting Results Without Direct Authority focuses on the specific skills, behaviors and attitudes that enable you to achieve desired results without relying on the use of authority
• 284, Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving,  leverages your personal thinking preferences, and those of your colleagues, using tools and techniques based on cutting-edge, whole-brain technologies