Fuzzy model on selecting processes in Business Process Reengineering

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology to assist enterprise decision makers (DMs) to select from a number of processes during Business Process Reengineering (BPR) according to organizational objectives. Indeed, after the identification and classification of process and illustration of the organizational objectives and criteria, the effect of each process on each objective and criterion is calculated to select the most appropriate processes for reengineering purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed methodology uses fuzzy quality function deployment (QFD) technique to convert the qualitative data (DM’s opinion) to quantitative ones and then calculates the effects of each process on the organizational objectives and criteria. Then, by using the result of fuzzy QFD, the amount of satisfaction of each process according to each criterion is calculated. By combining this data with other effective variables in BPR projects such as “cost” and “time,” a multi-objective goal programming (GP) model is formulated and solved to identify the most appropriate business processes.

Findings

In fact, a quantitative model is presented in which fuzzy QFD and GP methods are combined to help DMs to adopt an appropriate strategy for implementing BPR projects successfully by selecting proper processes for reengineering purposes. In addition, the presented model uses both qualitative and quantitative data and turns them into quantitative ones. An example is also provided to show how the model works.

Research limitations/implications

Following this investigation, other researchers could able to complete the model with more dynamic and local variables to enhance the accuracy of the model.

Practical implications

The introduced model will support organizations and managers to select appropriate processes for BPR; so in practice, the mentioned projects will be more efficient and successful.

Originality/value

The paper study is essential for organizations, because the presented decision-making model is based on fuzzy QFD and GP methods that enable the enterprises to select the business processes during the BPR projects easily. In this paper, a GP model is presented to create a balance between organizational satisfaction level and cost and time of implementing BPR projects considering organizational constraints. The proposed model was applied to a real case and the authors showed that it is an easy-to-use, valid, and powerful tool for implementing BPR projects.

Citation

Hakim, A., Gheitasi, M. and Soltani, F. (2016), "Fuzzy model on selecting processes in Business Process Reengineering", Business Process Management Journal, Vol. 22 No. 6, pp. 1118-1138. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-05-2015-0057

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