Main Characteristics of a Process-Oriented Organization

According to (Hammer, 2007; Harmon, 2007; Hinterhuber, 1995; Melan, 1989; Reijers, 2006), an organization which has adopted the process-view exhibits the following characteristics:

First, a prerequisite for managing an organization based on its processes is to know which business processes are performed within the organization and how they are related to each other. Hence, a process-oriented firm explicitly designs and documents its business processes.

Second, management needs to support the process program. Without the support of senior executives, the process idea cannot unfold its full potential.

Third, the existence of process owners is the most visible difference between a process enterprise and a traditional organization. A business process needs to have a manager who has end to end responsibility of the process.

Fourth, a process-oriented organization comprehensively applies the concept of process performance measurement. By focusing measurement on processes rather than functions, alignment and common focus across separate organizational units can be achieved. Implementing measures and taking corrective actions are operating precepts of process management.

Finally, there are other characteristics a process-oriented organization exhibits, including a process-oriented corporate culture (e.g. teamwork, readiness to change, and customer focus), IT systems which seamlessly support business processes, a process-oriented organizational structure, people and expertise (e.g. existence of process redesign and change management experts), process-oriented HR systems (e.g. existence of an incentive system emphasizing the process’ needs) and the existence of a BPM office coordinating and integrating process projects.

Further information on the characteristics of process orientation can be found in this blog post: The Components of Business Process Management.

Information on which process management components are important for improving firm performance can be found here: The Effects of Process-Oriented Organizational Design on Firm Performance.

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