|
The subject of business processes has received
an exceptional level of attention in recent years. There
is a sense that a fresh way of looking at management methods
in business is desirable; indeed it is perhaps critical
for the survival of some organizations.
The level of attention, and accusations
of 'hype' tend to obscure a genuine underlying social and
business movement. Magazine racks and bookshelves are full
of the thoughts of visionaries commenting on society at
large as well as those focusing on trends in management
-- writers such as Alvin Toffler, Charles Handy, Michael
Hammer, James Champy, Robert Waterman, Robert Heller and
many others. Change is everywhere and the efforts of these
visionaries and indeed all those in the 'business' of management
are having profound and very real effects on everyone.
This book is for those who are convinced
that a strong philosophy with the corresponding method and
techniques are needed to control the change. Management
has been considered more an art than a science. Jacques
Hale hopes that the skill and intuition of good managers
can be complemented with a systematic understanding of the
generic mechanisms behind organisations, so that sustainable
and resilient business processes can be designed.
Dr. Jacques Hale is a director of Business
Concepts International Ltd., a consultancy specialised in
developing and applying leading edge business process design
methods and tools. He specialises in the application of
advanced analytical methods and information technology techniques
to management issues and business process reengineering.
Prior to this he headed the BPR group of the Virtual Software
factory Ltd. and spent several years as a technical consultant
for many companies in the UK and the rest of Europe, including
Systematica, Coopers & Lybrand, and BSO.
| 
