Problem Statement
The support of business processes
through workflow technology
promises significant efficiency
gains through the automation
of routine decisions, the automated
assignment of pending activities
to performers and the supervision
of processes according to a
standardized workflow model.
The penetration of workflow
systems in the industry has
increased in the past years,
but except for individual case
studies (compare Fischer 1997,
1998, 2000, 2001), no studies
about the critical success factors
of process automation projects
exist. The lack of these studies
results in the absence of an
agreed-upon methodology for
successful workflow project
design.
Project Description
The aim of the proposed project
is to identify critical success
factors and best practices for
process automation projects.
In order to achieve this goal,
we will conduct a state-of-the-art
survey of workflow management
and process automation in today’s
economy. During an initial pilot
study with a select number of
CIOs, the major advantages and
shortcomings of process automation
technology, as well as current
approaches to process automation
projects will be identified.
Based on these results, a large
scale survey of companies within
the U.S. will be conducted.
Using the responses of this
survey the following questions
will be studied in detail: What
is the penetration of workflow
technology in today’s
economy? Which enterprises are
using it, which processes are
supported, and which technology
is employed? What are the major
benefits and shortcomings of
process automation software?
What are obstacles in process
automation projects and how
can they be overcome? What is
the organizational impact of
process automation technology?
The answers to these questions
will give CIOs and process managers
an indication, concerning which
techniques and technologies
should be employed to ensure
the success of a process automation
project.
References
Fischer, Layna: Excellence
in Practice. Innovation and
Excellence in Workflow and Imaging.
Vol. I-IV. Future Strategies,
Lighthouse Point, FL, 1997,
1998, 2000, 2001.
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