Business process improvement BPRE

Creating new and potentially disruptive approaches to performing business activities.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (new levels), Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions), Application of SFIA skills for digital service design and delivery.
New level 2 added to support entry-level roles.
New levels have been added at levels 2, 3, and 4.
Content changes have been made to level 5.
You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping may be impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

analysing and designing business processes to improve business performance, create business opportunities, deliver new or improved products/services, or improve product/service value chains. Including the adoption and exploitation of data, information, new or existing technologies and cloud-based services
using process mapping, value stream mapping, process mining and analytics, root cause analysis and visual modelling
identifying and implementing improvements to business models, business operations and services with improved processes
exploiting technologies, such as robotic process automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning
assessing the costs and potential benefits of new approaches to the organisation and all stakeholders
developing enterprise business process management capabilities to increase organisational agility and responsiveness to change.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...

Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.

Where higher levels are not defined...

Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities

Where higher levels are not defined...

You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

Level 1

Level 1 - Follow: Essence of the level: Performs routine tasks under close supervision, follows instructions, and requires guidance to complete their work. Learns and applies basic skills and knowledge.

Business process improvement: Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Assists in gathering data and documenting current business processes under routine supervision.

Participates in process mapping exercises and helps identify areas for potential improvement.

Assists in creating process documentation.

Supports the implementation of minor process changes and improvements.

Business process improvement: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Applies standard techniques to analyse existing business processes and identifies opportunities for improvement.

Collaborates with stakeholders to ensure process changes align with business objectives. Proposes and implements process improvements that enhance efficiency, effectiveness and quality.

Develops and maintains process documentation.

Supports the adoption of new technologies and tools to enable process automation and optimisation.

Business process improvement: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Analyses and designs business processes to identify alternative solutions to improve efficiency, effectiveness and exploit new technologies and automation.

Develops graphical models of business processes to facilitate understanding and decision-making.

Recommends implementation approaches for process improvement initiatives.

Business process improvement: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Manages the execution of business process improvements.

Assesses the feasibility of business process changes and recommends alternative approaches.

Selects, tailors and implements methods and tools for improving business processes at programme, project or team level.

Contributes to the definition of organisational policies, standards and guidelines for business process improvement.

Business process improvement: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Plans and leads strategic, large and complex business process improvement activities aligned with automation, or exploiting existing or new technologies.

Develops organisational policies, standards and guidelines for business process improvement.

Leads the introduction of techniques, methodologies and tools to meet business requirements, ensuring consistency across all user groups.

Leads the development of organisational capabilities for business process improvement and ensures adoption and adherence to policies and standards.

Business process improvement: Level 7

Level 7 - Set strategy, inspire, mobilise: Essence of the level: Operates at the highest organisational level, determines overall organisational vision and strategy, and assumes accountability for overall success.

Directs the identification, evaluation and adoption of new or existing technologies to improve business processes.

Aligns business strategies, enterprise transformation and technology strategies.

Embeds strategic business process improvement into the governance and leadership of the organisation.

Directs the creation and review of a cross-functional, enterprise-wide approach and culture for embracing business process management.

New level