Glossary of BPM Terms: Essential Concepts Explained
29.08.2025
Business Process Management (BPM) can seem overwhelming to newcomers and even seasoned professionals because of the wide range of terminology it involves. To effectively navigate BPM initiatives, it is crucial to understand the key terms and concepts that form the foundation of this discipline. This glossary explains essential BPM terms in a clear and professional way, making it easier for organisations to adopt and optimise process management strategies.
1. Business Process (BP)
A business process is a structured set of activities designed to achieve a specific organisational goal. Processes can be manual or automated and typically include inputs, outputs, and defined steps.
2. Business Process Management (BPM)
BPM is a discipline that focuses on modelling, analysing, improving, and automating business processes to enhance efficiency, agility, and customer satisfaction. It combines methodologies, tools, and technologies to align processes with organisational goals.
3. Workflow
A workflow refers to the sequence of steps or tasks through which a piece of work passes from initiation to completion. Workflows can be linear or dynamic, depending on the complexity of the process.
4. BPM Lifecycle
This refers to the stages involved in BPM, which typically include: design, modelling, execution, monitoring, and optimisation. The lifecycle ensures continuous improvement of processes.
5. Process Modelling
The practice of visually representing business processes using diagrams, flowcharts, or specialised modelling languages such as BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation).
6. BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation)
A standard notation for modelling processes. BPMN provides graphical elements like events, tasks, gateways, and flows to create a shared understanding among stakeholders.
7. Process Automation
The use of technology, such as robotic process automation (RPA) or low-code platforms, to execute repetitive tasks without human intervention. Automation increases speed and accuracy.
8. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
KPIs are measurable values that indicate how effectively a business is achieving specific objectives. In BPM, KPIs help track process efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.
9. Process Owner
The individual responsible for overseeing a specific business process, ensuring its performance aligns with organisational objectives.
10. Process Governance
A framework that defines rules, roles, responsibilities, and decision-making mechanisms to manage and control processes effectively.
11. Continuous Improvement
An ongoing effort to enhance processes by identifying inefficiencies, eliminating waste, and adapting to changing requirements. Often associated with methodologies like Kaizen or Lean.
12. Lean BPM
An approach that applies Lean principles to BPM, focusing on eliminating waste, reducing costs, and creating more value for customers.
13. Six Sigma
A methodology often integrated with BPM to reduce variability, minimise defects, and improve process quality through data-driven techniques.
14. Business Rules
Explicit statements that define or constrain business activities. Rules govern decisions, workflows, and compliance requirements.
15. Process Mapping
The practice of documenting processes step by step to provide clarity and identify areas for improvement.
16. Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
A technology that uses software bots to mimic human actions within digital systems, automating routine, rule-based tasks.
17. Low-Code/No-Code Platforms
Tools that allow non-technical users to design and deploy process applications with minimal coding, enabling faster BPM adoption.
18. SLA (Service Level Agreement)
A documented commitment between a service provider and a customer that defines expected service standards, such as response time or quality metrics.
19. Process Bottleneck
A stage in a process where the flow of work is delayed or slowed, reducing overall efficiency. Identifying and resolving bottlenecks is a critical aspect of BPM.
20. Process Optimisation
The practice of refining processes to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness by leveraging data analysis, automation, and feedback.
21. Digital Twin of an Organisation (DTO)
A virtual model that replicates business processes and systems, allowing organisations to simulate scenarios, analyse performance, and predict outcomes.
22. Change Management in BPM
The structured approach to helping employees adapt to new processes, tools, or systems introduced as part of BPM initiatives.
23. Agile BPM
The application of Agile principles within BPM, emphasising flexibility, iterative development, and responsiveness to change.
24. Enterprise Architecture (EA)
A strategic framework that aligns IT infrastructure with business processes, ensuring consistency and long-term sustainability.
25. Process Mining
A technique that analyses system event logs to discover, monitor, and improve real processes by providing insights based on actual data.
26. Orchestration
The coordination of automated tasks, systems, and processes to ensure seamless execution and integration across workflows.
27. SLA Monitoring
The process of tracking whether service levels defined in an SLA are being met. In BPM, SLA monitoring ensures accountability and service quality.
28. Business Agility
The ability of an organisation to adapt quickly to changes in the market, technology, or customer demands through flexible processes.
29. Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)
A strategy that integrates governance, risk management, and compliance with BPM to ensure processes meet regulations and standards.
30. Human-Centric BPM
An approach that places people—employees and customers—at the core of BPM initiatives, ensuring processes foster engagement, creativity, and satisfaction.
Understanding these BPM terms not only creates a shared language within organisations but also supports successful BPM implementations. A clear grasp of these concepts helps organisations improve communication, enhance collaboration, and achieve operational excellence
