processarkitektur

Process architecture is the structural design of an organization's business processes, defining how processes are arranged, how they interact, and how they are governed. It forms part of the broader disciplines of enterprise architecture and business process management. The goal is to create a coherent process landscape that supports strategy, enhances performance, and enables change. The concept is also known as processarkitektur in Scandinavian languages.

It typically includes a process taxonomy or catalog, high-level process maps, and detailed process models. Key elements are process owners, interfaces between processes, data and information flows, performance metrics, and a governance framework that ensures standardization, reuse, and alignment with regulatory requirements.

Modeling and analysis methods used in process architecture include BPMN and other notation for process modeling, value-chain analysis, and, increasingly, process mining to discover real-world work patterns. Process redesign and continuous improvement approaches, such as BPMS-based automation, lean methods, and PDCA cycles, are used to optimize the landscape.

Process architecture interacts closely with IT architecture. It defines which applications, data structures, and technical services support processes, and it guides system implementation, integration, automation (including RPA), and digitization initiatives. A well-designed process architecture reduces duplication, enables data-driven decision making, and supports scalable change.

Governance and maturity are common concerns. Roles such as process owners and process architects oversee the portfolio, enforce standards, and monitor performance. Maturity models assess capabilities from process discovery to optimization and enterprise-wide governance.

Typical process families include procure-to-pay, order-to-cash, hire-to-retire, and record-to-report. A clear process architecture helps organizations improve efficiency, compliance, and agility in a digital environment.