A survey among 352 companies revealed that companies applying BPM and Six Sigma as an integrated approach are more successful. About 70% use BPM, about 30% have Six Sigma initiatives. There is a significant overlap between the two groups: 22% use both approaches. In some of these companies, BPM and Six Sigma are not interconnected, but 12% have combined the two methods into an integrated approach.
Some interesting findings: The integrated BPM/Six Sigma approach is mainly used by large companies. In most cases, Six Sigma tools are used for supporting BPM. So BPM is regarded as a comprehensive approach, and Six Sigma provides useful tools and methods which can be used within BPM. In many cases, the BPM/Six Sigma combination was connected with organizational changes, i.e. new cross-departmental teams and new positions.
Most companies using either BPM or Six Sigma or both reported that important performance indicators have been improved by these initiatives. Companies with a combination of the two methods reported higher improvements than other companies.
The effect on the profit margin was also investigated: In average, companies using either BPM or Six Sigma have a higher Return on Sales than those without such an initiative. Those with an an integrated approach are the most successful ones.
A summary of the findings can be downloaded from http://tiny.cc/bpm6sigma (in German).
Just to add to that and carrying it further ....
much better value would come if we integrate Lean Six Sigma with BPM. In fact a large part of the ARIS Process Modelling Simulations use (at the back-end) some typical Lean Concepts like Takt Time, and Cycle Time, based on which the manpower & machine resources allocations are planned and the process output simulated, etc., at the base of which is the Value Stream Mapping tool of Lean which is the back-bone of Lean. It would do good if the teams are trained on basic principles of Lean for conceptual clarity on Process Modelling for driving Efficiencies and thereby for fuller utilization of the power of ARIS Modelling.
