Microsoft Power Platforms + Business Processes

References

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/introduction-power-platform/

In addition to the business value of Microsoft Power Platforms, Microsoft Power Platforms are built to automate business challenges in an organization to optimize their systems to operate more efficiently, become more agile and scale development in a timely manner.

Microsoft Power Platforms modernize business systems for a technical future, where Power Platforms is able to deliver custom, streamlined and collaborative digital experiences. Integrated technology in outdated business systems that could be evidently improved with technology is the primary goal of Microsoft Power Platforms.

Business Processes

Business processes are extremely important for Microsoft Power Platform tools. It’s where each of its tools are built to assist the automation of a particular business process. Microsoft Power Platforms provide the tools to approach the challenges or time-consuming tasks in an organization and being able to optimize that process with technology customized for that specific task.

Definition of a Business Process

References (Content Extracted from the Following Links)

https://blog.processology.net/what-is-a-business-process

https://www.comindware.com/blog-6-business-process-examples-automation-ideas/

A business process is a set of business tasks and activities that are performed by employees, customers or systems to produce an outcome that contributes to business goals.

Processes are plentiful in a business, as these are the tasks that essentially build an organization. Such examples are from onboarding new employees, vendor invoicing, sales, every business outcome is a result of repeatable tasks and activities.

These processes are executed strictly in documented guidelines, however, can be flexible. A business cannot function without proper execution of its business processes.

Once again a business process is a collection of business tasks and activities that when performed by people or systems in a structured course, produce an outcome that contributes to the business goals.

A business process includes at least one of, but not limited to, the following elements:

  • Task / Activity
  • System
  • Employee(s)
  • Workflow
  • Data

Business processes are invented to derive and contribute to organizational goals.

The continuous and repeated execution of business processes is pivotal to successful business operations and business growth.

Business process structures can be simple or complex, based on the elemnts involved in the process. Through every business process, a business strives to achieve certain goals.

Some key attributes that distinguish business processes from other business tasks and activities are:

  • A process is repeatable.
  • A process is flexible and not fixed.
  • A process is specific and has established steps, a start and an end.
  • A process is measurable.

To understand this better, this is an example of the employee offboarding process which has the following steps:

  • Acknowledging the resignation / termination.
  • Negotiation with the employee for retainment.
  • Notice period and final settlement procedures.
  • Planning for pending projects and assigned tasks.
  • Hand over and knowledge transfer of project and company details.
  • Exit interview.

These are the most common activities involved globally in an employee offboarding process. Through acknowledgment and negotiation discussions, the business tries to reason with and retain the employee.

The notice period and final settlement procedures help the employee and company get clarity on the terms of the contract pending after the resignation. The project planning and handover activities help the business make sure that daily processes are not affected due to the resignation of the employee.

Finally, the exit interview provides the business an opportunity to improve with detailed feedback on the company operations and policies.

Business processes are the backbone of business operations, which is why improving them is of strategic value to your business. According to Gartner, implementing a business process management strategy increases the success rate of your projects by 70%.

Organizations around the globe are investing a significant amount of time and money to manage and improve their business processes.

Business processes are often confused with projects and procedures. Processes are finite, flexible and repeatable, and generate value post their execution.

Processes vs. Projects

A project is focused on creating something new or implementing a change, whereas a process is focused on creating value by repeatedly performing a task. Simply put, projects are activities that you have never performed in your business before, whereas processes are activities that you do repeatedly.

For example, making your daily cup of coffee is a process. You like to add the same ingredients in the same amount and make it every day. There are almost no chances of the taste going wrong, but if it does, I know how that bugs you!

But trying to make an Instagram trending coffee recipe from Korea isn’t something you do every day. You are experimenting with new ingredients and methods, which make it a project. It is new, exciting, and you don’t know how it is going to pan out.

Processes vs Procedures

A process is a flow of business activities that are connected toward the achievement of a business outcome, whereas a procedure is a prescribed way of undertaking a process or part of a process. While a process is a set of defined actions, a procedure is a set of instructions that are detailed in nature.

For instance, onboarding a new employee in your organization is a process. It is focused on introducing the company to the new person and familiarizing them with company policies, culture, and teams.

Whereas onboarding documentation is a procedure. It has a detailed set of instructions related to documents, signatures, and agreements.

To manage and improve your business processes, you must understand them better. Let us take a look at some more examples of business processes, their advantages, and context with other business practices.

Examples of Business Processes

Processes vary depending upon the type, industry, location, etc., of a business, but there are a few processes that are practiced across all these segments of businesses around the globe. To make this easy to understand, we will look at examples of such processes.

Sales process

Making a sale is a fundamental business process across various industries, offerings, and other segments. The common process observed by most businesses involves the following steps:

  • Sharing the sales proposal.
  • Sending quotes.
  • Negotiations.
  • Receiving orders for product/service.
  • Updating records of sales.
  • Delivery of product/service.
  • Billing.
  • Payment.

These are repetitive steps and the workflow and structure of the process are flexible based on the business.

Is your sales team not performing to its full potential? Here are 5 tips to help them perform better.

Customer service

Customer service is another important process that is a part of global business operations. It involves the following steps:

  • Receive customer complaints/issues through CRM.
  • Acknowledge the customer concern.
  • Login details of the issue in the CRM system.
  • Resolve the issue.
  • Communicate status to customer.

A few more examples of business processes are:

  • Recruitment process
  • Invoicing process
  • Order processing
  • Customer onboarding process
  • Accounting process
  • Market research process
  • Product development process

Benefits of Business Processes

Any activity that requires inputs in sequential steps to obtain an output is a process. Life is filled with processes, but within business, measurement and management of such activities will certainly impact the bottom line.

Beyond the bottom line, both customer and employee satisfaction are affected by business processes and how they are carried out.

Benefits of business processes are wide-ranging and include:

  • Resource management: Time and resources are allocated according to needs and goals, thereby minimising waste.
  • Optimised performance: Employees are assigned to tasks based on their maximum value, helping them to achieve their full potential and utmost level of satisfaction.
  • Reduced risk: Through business process automation, many operational risks are avoided and / or reduced.
  • Accountability: Everyone is aware of their responsibilities and inputs / outputs are measurable. ‍