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Thursday, February 23, 2012

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How I Do What I Do

	I discuss all requirements, generally being able to avoid technical jargon, so that I can assist the client to make any decisions necessary. This is often conducted in a "Discovery Workshop" setting.
	I will usually document business processes using highly effective methods based on XSOL InOrder, so that all parties have a clear understanding of the context of any proposed changes or additions.
	If required, I can devise systems that will make the best use of available technologies to meet any new needs identified.
	I ensure that effective solutions are built using existing systems where possible with customisation and integration quite often achieved through relatively simple adjustments.
	I work directly with developers to create any required sub-systems that will fill in any “missing” links.
	I enjoy working in an "Agile" way, creating a smooth link between a client and other computer professionals, simultaneously running as many separate projects as necessary to achieve one integrated whole.

I Have Experience

In the course of over 30 years of owning and operating my own businesses, I have gained maturity in business and have a proven history in understanding the issues faced by most small to medium sized businesses. Throughout my career I have had a solid commitment to constant improvement through original development work, resulting in the creation of many innovative products. See the "Background" page for further information.

I consider that my most notable achievement was that I successfully designed and developed a comprehensive ERP / FMIS product (“Crusader”) in the late 1980’s / early 1990’s. This product has allowed my client companies to manage their growth, some of which has been spectacular. Brett Henderson (owner / director of Holdfast NZ) has quite publicly attributed the consistent success of Holdfast to the various systems that I provided to Holdfast over a period of more than 20 years.

Discovery Workshop

A Discovery Workshop asks ...
	What do you do?
	How do you do it?
	How could you do it better?
... with the result that ...
	An interactive and inclusive environment encourages understanding, ownership and accountability. .
	Contributions obtained from as wide cross section of the business as possible will enable more accurate results.
	All staff are enabled to work together to ultimately build better processes.

Working with my laptop and data projector, an interactive session is established to graphically describe existing processes and explore possibilities, so that all participants work towards a common goal of understanding processes and improving them.

What is a Business Process Engineer?

A Business Process Engineer (BPE) understands business processes generally, making it possible to accurately record the existing processes, then recommend how these could be improved.

Where these improvements require new IT functionality, the BPE will plan and implement IT systems that are appropriate to their intended situation, keeping in mind the organization’s legacy from the past, the present situation, and the future strategy. Each of these aspects (past present and future) are framed in terms of systems, people and corporate culture, both internal to the company as well as in their industry generally.

To achieve this, a BPE will be sufficiently experienced to know the impact on IT systems performance of any such proposed systems. A BPE understands the criteria for selecting and configuring suitable technologies like the method of user interface, application platform chosen, security, etc. For this a BPE needs a wide range of skills and experience, to be fluent in both technical and business terminology, as well as having the ability to take a high-level overview to direct many component parts towards a single, coherent systems outcome.

I am a Business Process Engineer.

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