Applying intellectual capital in business process modelling

Abstract

Business process modelling is one of the most important stages of process management in an organisation. A reliable model which correctly reflects reality facilitates process analysis and further improvement based on the Business Process Management (BPM) cycle. Process models, in addition to expressing sequences of activities, possible process flows and task types, can store various types of information on the tangible and intangible aspects (resources) of the enterprise involved in its implementation. At this point, the very important aspect of skills, competences and knowledge of employees, which are essential for the performance of tasks and activities within the process, are often omitted. This article presents the possibilities of extending the process model with information on the intellectual capital used in a given process or generated as a result of process implementation. This information facilitates an in-depth analysis of the process in the context of the existing intangible capital in an organisation, and indicating places in the process which can extend this resource, influencing its more effective management. The article proposes a description of activities in the BPMN process model, taking into account the nature and type of knowledge required to perform a given task as well as knowledge created in the organisation as a result of task implementation. The proposed extension of the process model is illustrated by the example of a process of fixed assets ordering.