Process reference models: accelerator for digital transformation

Abstract

For most organizations digital transformation has become a key topic. Organizations have to deal with new digital tools and its business impact on a daily basis. Hyper-Automation has become a reality. However, only a small number of organizations have their business processes sufficiently under control to realize the full value of digital technologies. Process reference models can be developed as a way to address that challenge. Those digitalization process reference models enable and accelerate a process-led approach to digital transformation and prepare an effective value realization. The models formalize and structure the knowledge about a digital business process and help to re-use it efficiently. Process reference models make the business impact of digital technologies transparent and manageable. This accelerates the design and evaluation of new digital processes as well as the roll-out across the organization. This article defines process reference models and discusses the different types of such models. It describes which special characteristics process reference models need to be applied successfully in digital transformations. Then it explains how to use those reference models in the context of digital transformations. The following case study illustrates the impact of the digitalization reference models and its importance in practice.