Function Modeling
This is a group of blog posts related to the technique of Business Function Modeling in the Integrated Modeling Method.
Is Capability a Function?
In response to a recent post I got a comment from a reader suggesting that what I called a Function was a Capability. In this post I explain how I align Capability with the standard English meaning of the word, i.e. what an enterprise is capable of doing. Capability actually couples a Function with elements that increase its depth, scope, productivity, etc. These elements could include knowledge, technology, product portfolio, geography, and many others.
Functionality vs Functon
I was recently asked by Jan van Bon from the Netherlands to define “the difference between a Function and Functonality”. My reply was, “A Business Function (or Function) is a core activity of an enterprise. It is something that the enterprise must do in order to meet its objectives and continue in existence. ‘Functionality’ is a general English phrase that is generally used when referring to a computerised system in defining what Business Functions the system fully or partly supports.”
Removing Duplicate Functions
I have put together a quick two minute video to explain how to remove duplicate functions from a Function Hierarchy. This technique, although very simple, will work for a hierarchy of any size and will always give the correct results.
Click to access the video on Removing Common Functions from Hierarchy.
If you like this video or [...]
Tuning Processes is a Waste of Time!
Most Process Improvement Projects Fail.
Around the world businesses spend vast amounts of time and money trying to tune their existing processes and procedures in order to make their businesses more efficient.
Sadly, in far too many instances their efforts result in no improvement at all or, worse still, in an actual degradation of performance - and always in a huge bill.
All of this can be avoided by first building a Function Model for the business.
Business Models are Like Building Plans
Each business model helps portray a different aspect of a business.
For this reason it is important to select the most appropriate business model to portray the specific facet in question.
Function vs Department
Far too many people confuse ‘Function’ and ‘Department’
The confusion that exists in many peoples minds over Business Function and Business Department is one of the greatest barriers to successful business modelling. Because they confuse “function” with “department”, they start in the wrong place.
Formalisation Creates Models
I have been having some discussions lately about with various people around the globe on what constitutes a “model”.
Some of those with whom I have been in discussion hold the view that any concept or mental picture that a person holds in their head constitutes a model. While this might be valid from a philosophical [...]
Function Modelling - a Tutorial
I was recently invited by the team at DataQualityPro to put together a tutorial on the basics of function modelling. The team are familiar with the power of the Integrated Modelling Method and how it puts Business Functions at the core of the Corporate Business Model.
The tutorial summaries the IMM Function Modelling process. It starts [...]
Five Fatal Errors for Business Analysts
Proper business analysis can bring untold benefits to a business by bring power through simplicity and enabling quality information systems to be built to support and accelerate business success.
Bad business can bring untold misery to a business and can lock the staff inside complicated and inefficient procedures supported by poor information systems that severely restrict [...]
Modeling the “As Is” then “To Be” is a waste of time
[I wrote the following comments in response to a blog that was advocating starting off by modeling the "as is" processes in the business as the starting point for business improvement.]
One of the major errors taken in business analysis and modeling is that of modeling the “As Is”, then the “To Be” and then trying [...]
Process, Function, Mechanism, Procedure: Which One?
[This post also comes as a Podcast - Please scroll to bottom of page]
One of the greatest areas for confusion in the world of business systems modeling is the terminology used to name the activities performed by a business.
Are these activities Processes, Functions, Mechanisms or Procedures?
The answer is “all of the above”. Does this mean that these terms are synonyms? No [...]
Will BPMN Make You Right?
[This post also comes as a Podcast - scroll to bottom of page][Youtube video here]
Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) is one of the more common process modeling notations currently being promoted in the world of Business Process Modeling.
Is it any good? Well as a modeling notation it is pretty good. It falls about mid way between a Procedure Modeling notation, [...]
