What is Process Modeling? 6 Essential Questions Answered

What is the definition of process modeling?

Process modeling is the graphical representation of business processes or workflows. Like a flow chart, individual steps of the process are drawn out so there is an end-to-end overview of the tasks in the process within the context of the business environment.  

A process model allows visualization of business processes so organizations can better understand their internal business procedures so that they can be managed and made more efficient. This is usually an agile exercise for continuous improvement.

Process modeling is a vital component of process automation, as a process model needs to be created first to define tasks and optimize the workflow before it is automated.

What are the benefits of using process modeling?

The act of process modeling provides a visualization of business processes, which allows them to be inspected more easily, so users can understand how the processes work in their current state and how they can be improved. Other benefits from process modeling include:

Improve efficiency – process modeling helps to improve the process, helping business workers to be more productive by saving time

Gain transparency – modeling provides a clear overview of the process, identifying the start and end point and all the steps in between

Ensure best practice – using process models ensures consistency and standardization across the organization

Create understanding – by using the common language of process, it makes it easier for users across the organization to communicate with each other

Business orchestration – supports the coordination of people, systems and information across the organization to support business strategy

What is Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN)?

Business Process Modeling Notation is the de-facto standard for process modeling. This allows organizations to communicate their procedures in a standard manner by using a universal, easy-to-understand visual representation of the steps within a business process.

Using BPMN in your organization is an excellent way to ensure that all users adhere to best practice when modeling processes.

BPMN notation consists of a combination of shapes to represent different types of tasks, connected by arrows to demonstrate the flow of the process.

How is process modeling used in Business Process Management (BPM)?

Processing Modeling is a vital part of Business Process Management (BPM). According to Gatner’s definition, BPM covers a broader range of activities and methods to discover, model, analyze, measure, improve, and optimize business processes. Process modeling, therefore is just one component of the process management discipline.

The modeling is an important step because it allows the other activities, such as analyzing and process improvement to subsequently take place.

What are examples of using process modeling in organizations?

HSA Bank – HSA Bank used process modeling to capture the current state of business processes. This allows them to analyze business processes and identify pain points before eliminating waste to simplify processes and provide clarity to employees. This enabled them to improve the case resolution of one process by 75%.   

Kyocera – The multi-national printer and copier manufacturer was looking to optimize its pricing approval process, so began by using Bizagi Modeler to document processes. This allowed them to improve efficiency, reducing the approval time by 85%. Employees now only spend 20 minutes per approval, which allows them to focus on other work.

Cofco International – Cofco moves tens of millions of tonnes of grain around the world each year. It has to ensure it keeps up-to-date with changing laws on grain standards in different countries. They used process modeling to visualise the process, which created an instant overview of the process. This gave them end-to-end traceability and the ability to easily update processes to ensure compliance.

Do I need process modeling software?

Process modeling software provides an effective way to digitally capture your business processes. Using software means you can take advantage of intuitive features like drag and drop when building your process models and collaborate with your colleagues when improving the processes.

Bizagi Modeler, which has over 1 million users, allows you to create and optimize process models in adherence with BPMN standard notation. When you’re finished, you can publish processes to Word, PDF, Excel, Wiki and more. Best of all, once your process modeling is complete, you can build them into business applications in Bizagi Studio.

“[Bizagi is] the best and easiest tool for business modeling. It is an essential tool for any business because business models are better designed and more visually accessible. It certainly adds value to the business and the company will have an incredible return. The tool does not require extensive training and is believed to be very financially feasible for the benefit it brings to the company.” – Gartner Peer Review

Download Bizagi Modeler for free to start your process modeling today.