Building a Composite Model of Business Process Management with System Development Life Cycle: An Action Research on Multiple Systems

Abstract

Business Process Management (BPM) methods analyze, assess and design business processes. Although it is praised for business alignment and adaptability, this kind of method is in its initial stage and has its shortcomings in regard to detail system development and execution. However, System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methods, though lacking a cautious consideration of business strategies, carefully examine functional goals and provide detail guidelines for system development and implementation. To operationalize the BPM methods and to enhance the applicability of SDLC method in a higher business level, examining features of these two methods and proposing a proper model with complementary features incorporated, would be beneficial .By applying an action research, this study empirically validated and enhanced the proposed integrated BPM/SDLC method through: detection, planning, action and monitoring, as well as the reflection and evaluation processes. A spiral cycle of model development, modification and enhancement, was adopted with the installation of three different kinds of systems. The research result is a composite model which focuses on successful BPM. Study findings reveal that the most significant benefit of the involvement of SDLC for business process management is to provide a complete framework with instruments and guidelines for an executable process system.