Software tools supporting business process analysis and modelling

Examines the wide range of business process analysis/modelling (BPA/M) tools available, and compares the features of 12 specific tools. Presents two case studies with examples of software tool analysis results. The discussion addresses whether these tools meet the needs of managers of change and business process re‐engineering (BPR) initiatives, and offers suggestions for future tool evolution. The focus is to highlight the differences between the often lofty claims of tool vendors, and both the real needs of BPR analysts and implementors, and the actual capabilities of the BPR tools. The BPA/M tool market has three groups: drawing packages with templates; drawing packages with templates and some spreadsheet‐like capabilities; and the heavyweight BPA/M tools proper, akin to discrete event simulators. The general strengths of such heavyweight tools include: the high price for low software complexity, the large number of confusingly similar tools, the lack of comprehensive standards, and the potential “faddishness” of the tools. Irrespective of evolving management trends, the authors contend that the future use of similar process analysis tools is assured if standards issues are addressed.