Strategic management: The business process transformation framework JANUARY 10 www. bus- ex. com 11 applications to support business processes. The process design work can be accomplished in less time. Relieved of administrative tasks in documenting the designs, the design team can focus on the critical thinking needed to develop best practice designs that will bring about the desired results for the business. All of this reduces both cost and risk associated with redesigning business processes and implementing software to support the business processes. When multiple business unit implementations are required, the business process transformation framework helps to break down regional communication barriers and accelerates consensus building on how the process needs to work to support the business. This further reduces costs and time to results. In the final article of the series, we will further describe the business process transformation framework design steps. We will provide insight into the lessons learned for consideration against a perceived need to install or re- install an ERP system. We will also provide an overview of the many dos and don'ts to consider before embarking on such a project, including how to drive true business transformation while eliminating the risk of cost overruns and implementation failure. Figure 2. Example process design output using the business process framework Graphical output in the XRM modeling tools often leads to identification of process conflicts and, more importantly, potential opportunities for process improvement. Common opportunities for improvements include the identification of: . Cycle times that do not meet business needs for velocity. . Circular dependencies, including the determination of the key variables involved, so they either can be closely controlled or the process can be designed to eliminate circular dependencies. . Collaborative communication needs to increase the effectiveness of decision- making and to do so more efficiently. The graphical outputs can also be used to communicate clearly the process design during mid-project design reviews. These reviews are needed to ensure common understanding of the processes and to build consensus on how the processes and integration linkages will operate. Conclusion The new business process transformation framework dramatically improves business process redesign and facilitates the proper configuration of software

12 www. bus- ex. com JANUARY 10 Marinette Marine built the first-ever Littoral Combat Ship ( LCS) for the US Navy, and the company anticipates a large contract to build several more. CEO Richard McCreary talks to April Terreri Ship shape T he Littoral Combat Ship ( LCS) is a marvel of engineering design that utilizes a modular platform resulting in the ship's flexible configurations. " Its three missions include anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures and anti- surface warfare," explains Richard McCreary, CEO of Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette, Wisconsin. The LCS is also designed for missions in homeland defense, maritime intercept and special operations. Marinette Marine delivered the US Navy's very first LCS- the USS Freedom- soon to be deployed by the Navy.