Introduction: BPR Defined

A business process is a set of ordered activities that interrelate to produce a useful product or service, or a portion of it. The product or service can serve a particular goal or it may be for internal consumption; and it may be for a particular customer. Management and strategic processes, like product development or performance management, direct or form a framework for operations. Operational processes like production, sales, and purchasing form the day-to-day activities. Processes like HR, accounting, or help desk operations are called supporting processes because they support operations.

Frederick Taylor (1856–1915), a pioneer of industrial efficiency and scientific management, suggested that managers can discover the best practices to perform work by analyzing the process for creating goods and services. He also suggested that these processes be reengineered (redesigned or improved) every so often for optimal productivity gains. In Taylor’s time, technology was not available for large companies to design processes that work in a cross-functional manner. Specialization was the mantra for efficiency gains.