Taking a strategic view of BPR to develop a multidisciplinary framework

Despite undoubtedly being one of the latest fads, Business Process Reengine ering (BPR) has provoked much debate about how organisations should be mana ged if dramatic improvements in performance are to be achieved. This paper takes a multidisciplinary view of BPR and focuses upon a number of the emer gent issues. These include the role of strategy making, the promotion of co mmunication and creativity, the role of statistics, and the effective use o f performance measurement systems within a learning environment. The paper develops a framework that capitalises on the role of modelling in MS/OR as well as the various disciplines of the authors. As such, the framework draw s on recent advances, as well as established thinking, in the areas of stra tegy development, information systems, quality management and statistical s cience, More importantly, the framework also provides an iterative approach to BPR enabling organisations to design, implement and monitor progress on an ongoing basis. Emphasis is placed on building effective communications, developing an organisational memory and supporting organisational learning .