Page 428 - Global Project Management Handbook

21-2 MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECT-ORIENTED COMPANY

ABSTRACT

A business process is a sequence of tasks with defined objectives and a defined start and
end event. The success of a project not only depends on performing project management
professionally but also on fulfilling the contents-related business processes of the project
successfully. Therefore, professional macro and micro business process management is
required in the project-oriented company.
The quality of important business processes can be considered explicitly in the project
portfolio score card. Business process management should become an additional dimen-
sion in the maturity model of the project-oriented (and process-oriented) company.
Business processes are objects of consideration in projects and programs. Therefore,
competencies to design the organizational structures and the business processes are
required in projects and programs.

BUSINESS PROCESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS
FOR THEIR FULFILMENT

Business Process: Definition
A business process is a sequence of tasks with defined objectives and a defined start and
end event. Elements of a business process are tasks, decisions, and their relations. It is
fulfilled by different roles of one or more organizations. A business process runs “hori-
zontally” through organizations (Fig. 21.1).
Business processes can be differentiated into primary, secondary, and tertiary processes.
Primary business processes are those which contribute primarily to fulfilment of the pur-
pose of the company. Primary business processes are characterized by direct relations to
the clients, for example, when developing an offer or processing an order. Secondary
business processes, such as launching a new product, provide direct support for the primary
processes. Tertiary business processes, such as strategic planning, have no direct relations

Start event End event
FIGURE 21.1 A business process with a defined start and end event.