The first module helps candidates develop their understanding of the functions and objectives of business process management. The importance of striving for continuous improvement is discussed, alongside the evolution of business process management, common challenges to effective business improvement and how to conduct professional business analysis.

Module two begins a detailed exploration of the business improvement process and its component stages. The initial ‘vision’ phase is dissected and discussed, presenting candidates with tips and guidelines for creating a vision, how to effectively share a vision with others and the extent to which the initial vision influences everything that takes place thereafter.

An overview of the ‘design’ phase follows in module three, which familiarises candidates with a series of helpful information gathering techniques. Candidates are introduced to process mapping and flow charts, along with their respective functions and applications. Current and future process-determining techniques are also discussed.

Module four investigates the ‘modelling’ phase of the business improvement process, in which candidates study the functions, applications and potential benefits of ‘what-if’ analysis. The concept of design-testing is also introduced, along with breakdown modelling, interactive design and associated concepts.

The implementation phase – more commonly referred to as the ‘execution’ phase – in business improvement is discussed in module five. Process implementation and the potential benefits of process automation are discussed, along with challenges to effective process automation and workflow engine implementation.

Candidates are then guided through the ‘monitoring’ phase of the business improvement process – aka Business Activity Monitoring (BAM). Candidates learn how to use balanced scorecards while considering their functions and benefits, alongside the role of process mining in business improvement and additional performance measurement/analysis guidelines.

In the seventh module, candidates consider the six most important characteristics in successful business improvement, as part of the ‘optimising’ stage of the process. A brief introduction to the Six Sigma project management methodology and its wide-reaching applications is also provided.

Bringing the course to a close, module eight introduces learners to the concept of ‘lean’, along with its functions, objectives and benefits in a business setting. Candidates are presented with helpful guidelines for optimising performance and improving quality through effective and efficient utilisation of available resources.