Process

Architecture

Business Process Management Master Class

 Layers of a Process Architecture help businesses classify
and manage processes in a hierarchical structure
The highest level of the hierarchy and is indicated
Level 1 Category by whole numbers (e.g., 8.0 and 9.0). These are
processes that are grouped by a common subject

Items with one-decimal numbering (e.g., 8.1 and 9.1)

Level 2 Process Group are considered a process group. These are functions
required to deliver products and services to
customers

Items with two-decimal numbering (e.g., 8.1.1

and 9.1.2) are considered processes. These
Level 3 Process are business processes that are designed to
achieve a specific outcome

Items with three-decimal numbering

(e.g. 8.3.1.1 and 9.1.1.1) are
Level 4 Activity considered activities within a process.
They are the specific steps required to
complete a business process

Business Process Management Master Class Source: APQC Process Classification Framework
 A Process Hierarchy ensures all processes within an
organisation align to a category as part of a value chain
Process Architecture Framework

2. Develop and 3. Market and Sell

1. Develop Vision 4. Deliver Products 5. Manage
Category Manage Products Products and
and Strategy and Services Customer Service
and Services Services

2.1 Manage product and 3.1 Understand markets, 4.1 Plan for and acquire 5.1 Develop customer care /
Process Group service portfolio customers and capabilities necessary resources customer service strategy

2.2 Develop products and 3.2 Develop marketing 4.2 Procure materials and 5.2 Plan and manage
services strategy services customer service operations

4.3 Produce / Manufacture / 5.3 Measure and evaluate

3.3 Develop sales strategy
Deliver Product customer service operations

3.4 Develop and manage 4.4 Deliver service to

marketing plans customer

3.5 Develop and manage 4.5 Manage logistics and

sales plans warehousing

3.6 Perform energy trading

4.6 Operate assets
and related activities

Source: APQC Process Classification Framework

Business Process Management Master Class
 These are the process categories (whole number)

2.0 Develop and 3.0 Market and 4.0 Deliver

1.0. Develop Vision 5.0 Manage
Manage Products Sell Products and Products and
and Strategy Customer Service
and Services Services Services

The highest level of the hierarchy and is indicated

by whole numbers (e.g., 8.0 and 9.0). These are
processes that are grouped by a common subject

Business Process Management Master Class Source: APQC Process Classification Framework
 These are process groups (one decimal point)

4.1 Plan for and 4.2 Procure

4.3 Produce / 4.4 Deliver service
acquire necessary materials and
deliver product to customer
resources services

4.5 Manage
logistics and 4.6 Operate assets
warehousing

Items with one-decimal numbering (e.g., 8.1 and 9.1)

are considered a process group. These are functions
required to deliver products and services to
customers

Business Process Management Master Class Source: APQC Process Classification Framework
 These are processes (two decimal points)

4.4.2 Identify and

4.4.1 Confirm 4.4.3 Provide the
schedule 4.4.4 Ensure
specific service specific service to
resources to meet quality of service
requirements customers
service

Items with two-decimal numbering (e.g., 8.1.1

and 9.1.2) are considered processes. These
are business processes that are designed to
achieve a specific outcome

Business Process Management Master Class Source: APQC Process Classification Framework
 These are activities (three decimal points)

4.4.1. Process 4.4.1.2 Create 4.4.1.3 Generate

customer request customer profile service order

Items with three-decimal numbering

(e.g. 8.3.1.1 and 9.1.1.1) are
considered activities within a process.
They are the specific steps required to
complete a business process

Business Process Management Master Class Source: APQC Process Classification Framework
 The numbering system can continue through down to
the lowest level of detail of a process

4.4.1.3.2 Process
4.4.1.3.1 Process 4.4.1.3.3 Process
transfer out
transfer in request new connection
request

Business Process Management Master Class Source: APQC Process Classification Framework
 Adopting a process architecture will provide an organisation
with the following benefits
Home grown frameworks
▪ Does not link processes to services or
functions
▪ Does not categorize processes in an end-to-
end value chain
▪ Does not allow the business to identify gaps
in processes
▪ Numbering does not follow a hierarchy of
numbers. Numbers were assigned on an
random basis
▪ Model not used or adopted by any other
organization
▪ Only represents a siloed view of an
organization. Not flexible enough to be
adopted enterprise wide
Business Process Management Master Class
International frameworks
▪ Framework has been developed for the
enterprise view of an entire organization, not
just an individual business units
▪ APQC is supported, used an adopted by
industry world-wide. Provides consistency
▪ Lists all functions executed by the business
VS in an end-to-end value chain
▪ Classifies and orders processes in a logical
sequence of events
▪ Framework exposes what processes and
services and performed by the business in
addition to highlighting which processes are
not performed by the business
Source: APQC Process Classification Framework