How do you validate and test your business process model before implementation?

2 Review the model with stakeholders

The second step in the process is to gain feedback from stakeholders, such as customers, employees, managers, suppliers, or regulators who are involved in or affected by your business process model. With this step, you can confirm that the model accurately reflects the reality and needs of your process, identify any gaps, errors, or inconsistencies in the model, and incorporate their suggestions, concerns, and expectations. Additionally, this step helps to build trust and buy-in for the model.

3 Perform walkthroughs and simulations

The third step is to test how your business process model works in different scenarios and conditions. Through walkthroughs and simulations, you can verify that the model meets your validation criteria, detect and resolve any issues or bottlenecks, compare the performance of your current and future process, and optimize and refine your model. Visualizing and evaluating the flow and outcomes of your process can help ensure that it is up to standard.

4 Apply formal methods and tools

The fourth step is to use formal methods and tools to validate and test your business process model. Formal methods are rigorous and systematic techniques to analyze and verify the logic and structure of your model, while tools are software applications that support and automate the validation and testing process. By applying them, you can guarantee that your model is free of errors, ambiguities, and contradictions; validate that it conforms to the syntax and semantics of your modeling language; test that it satisfies your functional and non-functional requirements; and generate and execute test cases and scenarios for your model.

5 Document and communicate the results

The fifth step is to document and communicate the results of your validation and testing activities. Documentation is the process of recording and organizing the relevant information and evidence, while communication is the act of sharing and presenting the results to stakeholders. Doing so can demonstrate that your model is valid and tested, provide transparency and accountability, highlight the benefits and value, and facilitate implementation and adoption.

6 Repeat and update as needed

The sixth and final step is to repeat and update your validation and testing process as needed. This is not a one-time activity but an ongoing, iterative process that must be adjusted according to changing business environments, needs, and expectations. Doing so will help keep your model relevant and current, incorporate new feedback, data, and insights, improve and enhance your model, and maintain and monitor it.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?