There is a wide range of process management training programs and levels of certification. The level of the course material depends on the target audience, course description, and educational goals. Process management training at the university level is typically three to five courses as part of a computer science or business program. Some universities offer certificates in business process management through their continuing education schools.
Training programs at the college level tend to be more practical, focusing on skills such as the development of flow diagrams and using business process management software. Many large companies offer courses in business process, but usually at the managerial level. These courses focus primarily on the current practices at the firm, and not the theory and concepts behind this discipline.
When selecting a process management training, it is very important to read both the course description and the recommended prerequisites. This information is very helpful when deciding if the course is at the proper level of skill to meet your requirements. Prerequisites may include a specific course or relevant work experience. Although most schools will allow you to register for a course, regardless of the prerequisites, additional effort is required to fill any gaps in your knowledge.
Small class size is best for process management training, as it allows the instructor to arrange a series of interactive activities. All process management training has increased in popularity with the widespread implementation of various computer systems. When designing or implementing a system, it is very important to have a complete understanding of business process, as it is inevitable that either the software must be changed or the business process. Either way, a lack of understanding of the driving concepts and logic behind the current or proposed practices will have a huge impact on the success of the implementation.
Business analysts often complete a process management training program in addition to a degree or diploma in business management or computer related training. A business analyst is responsible for documenting the current process, reviewing the impact of changes within the organization, and defining a new process that meets all the organizational and legislated requirements.
This discipline of business process management is often used in combination with other skills to provide valuable insight into issues with current processes, such as bottlenecks or other inefficiencies. A poorly designed process is often the root cause for increased overhead costs and a pervasive need for staff and resources to support this process. Modifications to the steps can often resolve these issue.