I just found an interesting post on business processes as value networks from Joe Dager, one of the people I follow on Twitter.
The idea that there may be a benefit in not prescribing one single method of achieving an end result from a business activity got me thinking back to my first job. When I worked at ME&P, we built models of traffic flows through transport networks in order to understand how different people react to the same problem: how to get to work in the morning (or afternoon, or whenever - timing can be everything in answering this question).
Most people want to spend as little time commuting as possible. Some people will even move house if it means shaving ten minutes a trip off the journey to work (that works out at 75 hours a year, by the way; how much more could you achieve if you had almost two more working weeks in your schedules?)
By default, navigation aids such as SatNav systems or route planners will work out the quickest route from A to B.
That's fine until everyone tries to drive down the same stretch of road at 8.25 a.m. and traffic grinds to a halt.
The models we built at ME&P used the full transport network, both private vehicle and public transport. We included all of the alternative routes between two points, and we used feedback loops which allowed alternative routes between the same start and end points to be used if the 'quickest' route became clogged up.
The models we now build at Thorneycreek also take into consideration different ways of achieving the same result. For the most part, our clients want a simple, repeatable process; one which ensures a quality product at the end; one which is as streamlined as we can make it. However, we realise that sometimes things go wrong: an internet connection breaks; postal workers go on strike; a key member of staff calls in sick.
That's when we need an alternative route through the network. Can we manage without the internet? If so, what does our new business process need to do to work around it? If not, do we have an alternative way to connect to it? In either case, we need to know how quickly we can change direction and start along the new route.
Risk analysis and contingency planning should form part of any business process analysis project. A little investment in time and effort up front could save your entire business if something unexpected happens.
