Consider Solutions

The examples above for streamlining collaborative business processes typically require the use of a platform or set of middleware components that deal with document management and versioning, workflow, approvals, web access, email notifications and sometimes the ease of use offered by Wikis, Blogs and other social media or Web 2.0 technologies.

The challenge for organizations is that typically these platforms are evaluated and procured by a central IT function based on functionality, technology infrastructure, strategic fit and supplier relationship. Sometimes, these platforms just come ‘bundled’ as a component of a broader infrastructure deployment. More often than not, whilst the features and functions of the technologies look impressive, the ability to configure and deploy support for real business processes is not fully considered at evaluation time. There is typically a gap between the IT infrastructure knowledge and the needs of the owner of the business process that needs to take advantage of the capabilities. Experienced and insightful business technologists are required to map business processes and operating needs to the capabilities of the available platforms, articulate cost/time/benefit equations in a meaningful way, and drive the delivery and successful execution of the new or refined business process, that meets the operational need, is usable, timely and efficient for real work by business groups under increasing time and complexity pressure.