Business Process Management (BPM)

Far from Redundant, Business Rules are Essential to BPMS

Identifying, capturing, and managing the business rules that drive business processes using a Business Rules Management System (BRMS) is essential to the success of a Business Process Management (BPM) solution. A business rules engine enables the capture, packaging and deployment of business rules that drive processes from a shared rule repository, freeing the BPM solution from its reliance on hard-coded, custom application development that is slow, difficult and costly to change.

By externalizing the business logic of processes, a BRMS allows business analysts to author and change the rules governing the processes they own - without requiring code changes. The freedom from IT dependency allows organizations to modify rules and processes much more rapidly, in line with today's business cycles. A business rules engine also provides organizations utilizing BPM consistent order and structure across multiple departments and lines of business as well as across the in a way that BPM solutions alone cannot.

Far from being redundant, a business rules management approach strongly complements any BPM deployment. Only by combining the right BRMS with their BPM solution will companies be able to increase their business agility, improve responsiveness and create a sustainable competitive advantage.

Why use a BPM Solution (Business Process Management)?

Business Process Management (BPM) enables organizations to effectively define, optimize, design, integrate, automate, and monitor business processes. Each business process within an organization supports the strategies and goals of the business. By implementing and utilizing a business process solutions businesses are able to create a controlled way of streamlining critical processes. As a result, organizations can greatly increase efficiency and responsiveness. With the proper BPM solution companies are able to implement a solution which increases their agility gaining them a competitive advantage. While BPM solutions are effective at a departmental level, organizations need to implement business process management systems across the whole organization. Only then, will organizations realize the actual value of their investment.

Why use Business Rules if I already have a BPM solution?

Organizations who automate business processes are only implementing a partial solution. In order to realize the actual value of their investment, organizations need to implement technologies that complement the existing BPM solution. Such technologies include business rules engines and business rules. A business rules management system (BRMS) comprised of a business rules engine and business rules authoring tools will enable a business to create a truly flexible and agile IT infrastructure. Business must realize that identifying, capturing, and managing the business rules that drive the process is essential to success. Business interested in BPM solutions cannot limit their scope to business processes. Many companies implement BPM solutions which only identify and hard-coding the business rules into the design process. Companies implementing these business process management solutions will waste valuable time because once the rules are hard-coded within the business processes, modifying and sharing rules becomes a laborious process.

Why Implement a BPM Solution and a Business Rules Engine?

A business rules engine can provide organizations utilizing a BPM system order and structure across multiple departments. A business rules engine will capture, package, and deploy the business's valuable business rules, ultimately empowering the business to create a sustainable competitive advantage.

A business rules engine provides organizations with additional flexibility and agility within the IT infrastructure. While BPM solutions enable organizations to define, execute, and monitor their business processes, a business rules engine within a Business Rules Management Systems will enable organizations to define, recycle and mange the business rules in any process.

How do Business Rules Management Systems (BRMS) work?

A BRMS system maintains rules in a repository. The repository allows rules to be applied to various processes without recoding the process model. Essentially, the rule can simply be applied from the repository where it is stored. The repository will also allow business rules to be modified and shared among different departments and individuals. As a result businesses are now able to adapt and modify their rules and processes with increased agility. Silos are broken down because of the removal of hard-coded business process across various applications.

Business rules engines also increase the flexibility of an IT infrastructure by simplifying business processes. Flexibility is increased by allowing business rules to replace business processes. As a result business utilizing a business rules management system can eliminate steps with the process greatly reducing costs and time associated with each process.

Haley's business rules technology can help enhance your BPM success by: