Summary
The BPM Operating Model Overview explains how the Business Process Management (BPM) team functions as an enterprise unit, including how work flows, how decisions are made, and how accountability is maintained across initiatives. It clarifies BPM’s role, ownership boundaries, and partnership approach to ensure consistent, high-quality, and sustainable outcomes.
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BPM Operating Model Overview
The BPM Operating Model defines how the BPM team functions as an operating unit—how work flows, how decisions are made, and how accountability is maintained across the lifecycle of BPM-led initiatives.
This document provides context and alignment, not procedural instruction. It applies to all BPM team members and remains relevant beyond onboarding as a reference point for how BPM operates within a governed, enterprise environment.
Purpose
The BPM Operating Model defines how the BPM team operates to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes across BPM-led initiatives. It explains how work moves, how decisions are made, and how accountability is maintained across the lifecycle.
What BPM Is (and Is Not)
| BPM is |
BPM is not |
- A functional lead and governance partner for enterprise business processes
- A facilitator of discovery, prioritization, and decision-making
- A steward of quality, readiness, and sustainability
- A connector across campus stakeholders, central teams, analytics partners, and system configuration teams
|
- A transactional service desk
- A configuration-only team
- A training delivery function
- A replacement for operational ownership within departments
- A decision-maker for matters requiring executive or governance approval
|
BPM operates with a system-wide perspective, balancing campus needs, institutional risk, capacity, and long-term sustainability.
BPM Work Lifecycle (At a Glance)
At a high level, BPM work generally flows through these phases:
| Phase |
High-Level Intent |
| Intake |
Requests are received, logged, and assessed for alignment and scope. |
| Discovery |
Current state, pain points, and desired outcomes are understood. |
| Prioritization |
Work is evaluated against impact, effort, risk, and capacity. |
| Planning & Solution Design |
Recommended approach is defined, validated, and prepared for execution. |
| Configuration & Build |
Technical changes are completed by the appropriate owner. |
| Testing & Validation |
Solutions are verified for accuracy and readiness. |
| Stabilization |
Changes are monitored post-deployment. |
| Closure |
Work is formally completed and documented. |
BPM maintains continuity and accountability across the lifecycle, even when execution responsibilities shift between teams.
Ownership & Accountability Model
BPM’s operating model is based on clear ownership with shared accountability.
| BPM owns |
Partner teams may own |
- Discovery and analysis
- Process and solution recommendations
- Prioritization and readiness assessment
- Stakeholder coordination and documentation quality
- Governance alignment and closure
|
- System configuration and technical implementation
- Training delivery
- Operational execution within departments
|
BPM does not replace partner ownership; BPM ensures work is well-defined, aligned, and ready before moving forward.
Decision-Making Framework (High-Level)
| Decision Category |
Examples |
| BPM decides |
Methodology, discovery approach, documentation standards, readiness determinations |
| BPM recommends |
Prioritization outcomes, solution paths, timing considerations |
| BPM facilitates / escalates |
Policy/compliance impacts, resource-intensive initiatives, items requiring leadership/governance approval |
BPM’s role is to ensure decisions are informed, documented, and aligned, regardless of where final authority resides.
How BPM Works with Partners
| Partnering Approach |
- BPM provides structure, analysis, and governance
- Partner teams provide subject matter expertise, execution, or operational authority
- Campus units remain accountable for business ownership
This model supports clear roles, reduces duplication, enables consistent decision-making, and promotes sustainable outcomes.
|
How BPM Measures Success
| Success is demonstrated through |
- Clarity – Well-defined scope, expectations, and outcomes
- Quality – Accurate, usable, and production-ready deliverables
- Alignment – Solutions aligned with institutional priorities and policies
- Sustainability – Changes that can be supported long-term
- Transparency – Clear communication and documented decisions
|
One-Page Visual Operating Model