A flow is your unique way that you attract and keep prospects, customers, employees, suppliers, partners, and investors. We measure your flow in degrees of “stickiness”. Business flows are NOT business processes! At IBM I would detail out a client’s business processes because I’m getting ready to use information technology to automate a manual business process. In 2020, most manual business processes well suited for automation are already automated.
Flows are fluid. The model’s design objective is fluid stickiness. It does so using an open feedback loop. It is continuously adjusting “actions” to increase the probability of the desired outcomes. With business flows, we define inputs, predictions, actions, outcomes, judgments, and lessons.
Business processes are rigid. we define a start and an endpoint. We document in great detail the individual task and all of the exceptions between that start and endpoint. We then program software to automate one or more of those tasks within the business process.
Probably the greatest thing about flows is you do not have to do any detailed mapping! With flow analysis, you start by rapid prototyping a digital transformation.
A digital transformation is the end result of digitally transforming the flow. There are thousands of ways to digitally transform a flow. We recommend that you start by looking for a quick win that generates positive cash flow inside 90 days. However, don’t forget that the ultimate success or failure of the flow is measured in degrees of “stickiness”. Don’t sacrifice stickiness just because you’re making money! Our experience tells us that positive cash prototypes make it all the way to the end.
