This section provides definitions of words, terms, phases and acronyms, frequently used or referenced in the business process change community. As the business process change market evolves, these terms evolve and change, as well. Formal business process languages like BPML have semantic definitions that are enforced by the language standard. Other groups, such as the Workflow Management Coalition (WfMC), publish formal glossaries. Still other groups define terms in ways specific to their particular community. Most of these communities use or define these terms in slightly different ways. Old terms take on new and varied meanings, new terms emerge, and it is often confusing to business managers trying to communicate across the various business process change communities. This glossary recognizes these differences, seeks to provide generic definitions and suggests a common language. In cases where we know that communities use these terms in ways significantly different from those we provide, we note the fact. We hope our members and visitors find this glossary helpful and we pledge to work hard to keep it current.

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P

Process-Strategy Matrix

A matrix formed by as estimate of the strategic importance of a process on the horizontal axis and an estimate of the process complexity and dynamics on the vertical axis. Assuming that "low" is positioned at the lower right corner of both continua, then processes that fall in the lower-left are of little complexity, don't change very often and don't have much strategic importance. They should be automated if possible and given the minimum resources necessary for efficient functioning. Conversely, processes that lie at the upper-right are complex, dynamic and of high strategic importance. These are usually the processes that provide your company with its competitive advantage and should be nurtured accordingly.