The Process Ninja

The Process Knowledge Initiative - Exciting or Excruciating?

I was interested to read in the latest BP Trends newsletter about the "Process Knowledge Initiative" getting underway. What is this? Well according to BP Trends the aims are to accomplish the following:

1. Establish a core group of experts to draft initial documents defining a metamodel, knowledge areas, tasks, techniques, and roles for process work. The core group will be broadly representative of the various perspectives on process and will strive to define terms and practices that all groups interested in process can support. This effort will result in a series of documents, produced over the course of a year.
2. As each draft is completed, the results will be published on a website and everyone interested in process will be invited to comment on the document. Using a Delphi technique, inputs will be considered and drafts will be modified and resubmitted for further comment. In this way, each of the draft documents will be polished to capture the broadest possible consensus.
3. A non-profit group will be established to publish and maintain the process body of knowledge. Specialized groups working in the process field and universities offering process programs will be urged to adopt the terms defined by the Process Knowledge Initiative and the resulting process body of knowledge will be released under an open source license, free-of-charge.

Now, I have to admit I am a little nervous about this for a number of reasons, but mostly because BP Trends have been reluctant to accept that there are new ways of doing things (for example, outside-in). The worst thing that could happen is that we produce a "knowledge" respository filled with untouchable, archaic techniques locked up in cotton wool.

The thought of a bunch of process academics, methodology sprukers and consultants all arguing over a definition of BPM and a hundred other terms also makes me worried that this could be the biggest, most self indulgent, BPM navel gazing exercise of the modern era. I hope not.

But there's only one way to have your say - and that is to get involved. I have already registered my interest at: http://www.processknowledge.org/ - I hope you do too.

- TPN

Building Sandcastles: Why the world needs Process Analysts, not Business Analysts

I'm not a BA god damn it! I'm glad I'm not. I used to be one and I hated it. But why do agencies still call me about every BA job under the sun?

If you are not aware there is a huge differece between a BA and a Process Analyst:

BA: Scoping, requirements gathering & documenting, testing, training, etc

Process Analyst: As-is and to-be analysis, mapping of process, gap analysis, recomendations, change management, communication.

To me, the roles are chalk and cheese. A BA is down and dirty with all the intricate details. A BA is a car mechanic tinkering with nuts and bolts. The Process Analyst looks at the car and identifies its flaws or they design the car.

So why are there so many BA's and so few Process Analyst roles? To me it's basic ignorance. Most companies think a BA can do the job of a process analyst as well as the job of a BA. Judging by a lot of the process maps I've seen, that's not the case. Process is a speciality, a skill, a mindset. You wouldn't get a handyman to build you a house, you'd get a builder.

The good process people I've seen aren't focussed on the nuts and bolts - they see the big picture. For me, the ideal combination is a BA and a process analyst working in unison. The Process Analyst painting the picture of the landscape and the BA focussing in on the process analyst's recommendations.

But time and again I see projects filled with BA's, and time and again I see projects doomed to fail. BA's fill a very important role, but without a process perspective those projects are merely building castles of sand.

TPN

Process Days 2009 - An Interview with Roger Tregear of Leonardo Consulting

I'm rather excited to be attending Process Days 2009 in Sydney. It runs from 3-6th August. Rather than me spout on about it I decided to ask Leonardo's Consulting's Director and BP Trends contributor Roger Tregear to tell me all about it...

 

What makes Process Days different from other BPM events?

[RogerT] ProcessDays has come to be more than just a conference. Apart from being 4 days of variety in classes and presentations, there are many opportunities for networking with fellow practitioners and vendors. The program is designed to optimise the learning experience. It’s an event designed by people whose business is BPM. We don’t run it to make a profit. We run it to facilitate learning and networking. Other conferences are often designed and delivered by people whose business is running conferences. This year’s event will be the 7^th annual ProcessDays.

 

Who are you looking forward to talking to or meeting at Process Days?

[RogerT] Everyone. We’ll have many regulars coming back to ProcessDays so it will be good to see them again. Always good to meet new people as well. And, of course, The Process Ninja!

 

What are the “must see” events or talks at this year’s event?

[RogerT] I’ll certainly be going to Master Class 2 about Managing Service Processes – since I’m delivering that one! Lida’s Master Class about standardising processes will be interesting – important topic. I’m not so interested in the more technical topics but there are some great topics in that group. The Master Classes are a great opportunity to spend extended time talking about important aspects of BPM. For the Conference we’ll have some friends from overseas – Bassam AlKharashi (MeduNet, Riyadh), Christine Stephenson (Emirates, Bahrain), Joerg Klueckmann (IDS, Germany). Alec Sharp will be back with us online from Vancouver. Alec got the highest delegate evaluation scores last year so his will be a welcome return. Professor Michael Rosemann will do his usual endnote presentation about future process developments. Michael has great insights into “the next big thing in process”. We’ll also have Dr Rosalind Dubs, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Registrar at UTS to present in the last session on Day 1 of the Conference. She is leading a process transformation at UTS and has an interesting mixture of industry and academic experience. Speaking of process transformation, Carolyn Hogg, the Centrelink Deputy CEO Service Delivery & Emergency Management, will have a great presentation about the continuous improvement revolution underway at Centrelink.

 

How will Process Days help companies in these difficult financial times?

[RogerT] Firstly, ProcessDays is a very inexpensive Conference and Master Classes so it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to attend. We also do great deals for group bookings. Secondly, we will spend 4 days talking about how to do “more with less”. That has to help. I think more and more organisations are realising that the old “sack and sell” response to tough times just isn’t good enough.

 

And finally, how will we be able to meet the legendary Roger Tregear at Process Days???

[RogerT] It will be hard to avoid me! I co-chair the Conference with Michael Rosemann and I’ll be around  for every moment of all four days.

Ninja Tip: How to Crush it at Interviews

This is a bit off the process topic but since there are a lot of people out there at the moment feeling the pain of the financial crisis I thought I would share some tips on how to nail that interview (or CRUSHIT as Gary Vaynerchuk would say). Here's how:

Quality Not quantity

12 months ago, if you were 80% right for a position you'd probably have a good chance of getting it. Now, with the glut of candidates on the market employers can be ultra picky about what they want and can hand pick candidates that are 99% right for the position. The lesson is, go for positions that are very closely aligned with your skills and experience rather than those that are a loose fit. Otherwise you are just wasting your time.

Change your price

The market is paying 10-20% less than it was 12 months ago so make sure that your price expectations are not unrealistic. There are many people living in denial that are still trying to get the same rate they got 12 months ago. Again, as employers can afford to be picky they won't even look at you if your price is too high. Work out what is the lowest price you can afford to comfortably live on and go for that. Just get yourself employed - and stay employed.

Look the part

When you are going for an interview make sure you look a million dollars. Your old suit with the giant lapels from 1977 won't cut the mustard. Guys - Go out and buy a classy suit, a hot tie and shirt with cufflinks. Take someone female with you (we men are useless with clothes, and if you don't agree you are probably gay). Spend some money on it. Your suit you wear to work eavery day isn't good enough. Get a haircut. Shave (if you are a man, of course!) Do not smell BAD. Smelling good is a bonus, but don't overdo it. Girls, you are usually good at this stuff but be careful with the amount of cleavage. Try not to look like a high class...I won't say it. Aim for classy. Buy Trinny & Susannah's The Rules or get more tips here.

Be prepared

Print out all the address details and contact numbers for the interview. Take 3 copies of your resume with you to the interview. If someone has been called in at the last minute and you can hand them a resume they will be most impressed. Also, take along any documentation that you can use as examples (be sure to blank out company specific information). Prepare a list of questions to ask at the interview and provide a copy to each of the interviewers when they ask the ubiquitous "do you have any questions?" question. They will love it. If you would like to see my question list e-mail me.

Before you go in

Drink an espresso coffee with sugar 30 minutes before you go to the interview. This will be just enough to get your brain fireing without making you look like a crack whore who's just had a hit. Make sure your resume, notes and examples are all in a neat folder. Turn up early, but not too early. 10 minutes early is acceptable, anything more you will appear to be a paranoid schizophrenic. If you are early just sit in the foyer, relax, check your outfit is presentable and for god's sake please go to the toilet. A fart in an interview? - let's not go there.

Don't look like a puddle of Jelly

When you meet your interviewers give them a firm handshake. Firm - not a fishy little girl's handshake and not a bone crushing "I've got a bigger penis than you" handshake. Something in between. Look them in the eye with your shoulders back. Be confident. Repeat to yourself "I ROCK!!!" When you go into the interview wait to be offerred a seat. If they don't offer you a seat, sit down when they do. At all times, sit forward, use eye contact with ALL the interviewers and show interest by nodding and responding (Yes, I see, etc). As hard as it may be, try to enjoy the interview. Look at it is a learning experience.

It's a 2 way street

Don't think of an interview as you trying to impress them. They also have to impress you. An interview should be a two way process where you assess them. Don't be afraid to ping questions at them during the interview. It shows alertness. And balls. Not many people have balls.

If it isn't right, say so

If you think the position isn't for you, kill the interview. It isn't fair to waste your time or theirs. Poilitely say that you don't think the position is a good match and that you don't want to waste their time. Keep the door open by saying that you appreciate their time and that you would be more than happy to work for them if a suitable position arises.

Don't be a stalker

After the interview, under no circumstances should you harass the interviewers with multiple phone calls and e-mails. It smacks of desperation and makes you look like you are psychologically imbalanced and needy. Wait for them to come back to you. Give them a week and follow up with a polite e-mail or phone call.

Remember that above all, if you get to an interview, you have every chance to get the job. Just don't blow it!

Good luck!

TPN