Business process re-engineering - a short guide

Abstract

Business process re-engineering (BPR) is the fundamental rethinking and radical redesign of business processes to achieve dramatic improvement in critical, contemporary measures of performance, such as cost, quality, service and speed. In addition to the re-evaluation and redesign of business processes, BPR also includes many human resource issues, especially change management. This focuses on what is surely the most difficult problem in BPR-how to determine the changes needed by the people in an organisation, and how to help them make those changes. BPR is still a young and evolving discipline, and it has a long way to go before it is properly understood. Unfortunately, the hyperbole used by many consultants to sell their skills has led to unreasonable expectations and doubts about the viability of this exciting approach to business processes. Many lessons still remain to be learned. What is certain is that there are no easy answers or quick fixes. BPR is not a short-cut to making vast savings or profits. It always takes a radical approach to business, resulting in short-term disbenefits-high restructuring costs and culture-shocked staff. However, when BPR is viewed correctly, from the perspective of the medium and longer term, the benefits are striking, with greater profits to shareholders, better management control and an enhanced sense of control and harmony in everyday work.