According to (Hammer, 2007; Harmon, 2007; Hinterhuber, 1995; Melan, 1989; Reijers, 2006), an organization which has adopted the process-view exhibits the following characteristics:<\/p>\n
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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Second, management needs to support the process program<\/a>. Without the support of senior executives, the process idea cannot unfold its full potential.<\/p>\n Third, the existence of process owners<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Fourth, a process-oriented organization comprehensively applies the concept of process performance measurement<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n Finally, there are other characteristics a process-oriented organization exhibits, including a process-oriented corporate culture<\/a> (e.g. teamwork, readiness to change, and customer focus), IT systems which seamlessly support business processes, a process-oriented organizational structure<\/a>, people and expertise<\/a> (e.g. existence of process redesign and change management experts), process-oriented HR systems<\/a> (e.g. existence of an incentive system emphasizing the process\u2019 needs) and the existence of a BPM office coordinating and integrating process projects.<\/p>\n Further information on the characteristics of process orientation can be found in this blog post: The Components of Business Process Management<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n