I often discuss in this blog how Human Interaction Management (HIM) provides a simpler and more powerful means of capturing processes where humans collaborate - the repeated, adaptive work that is central to many organizations and networks. So it might be helpful to show exactly why the HIM approach works.
HIM is based on 5 principles, that underpin all collaborative work - and HIM process modelling is an object-oriented approach in which the core object types are derived directly from the principles. However, this derivation (which is explained in my 2005 book) is too technical for people who wish just to use the approach. So here is a simpler explanation, that relates more obviously to the user interface provided by the HumanEdj tool:
- Build effective teams: Roles each have their own responsibilities
- Communicate in a structured way: Messages are specific to Stages
- Create, share and maintain knowledge: Activities create and use Deliverables
- Use your time to meet strategic goals: Activities are specific to Stages
- Plan work collaboratively as you do it: Plans and sub-Plans are flexible and manageable
When reading the above, it is important to understand that Stages are usually given in sequence (1, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.2.1, 3, …) but this sequence is only indicative. Many Stages can be in use at once, and in general the status of a Stage (started, completed, cancelled, error, etc) can be changed at any time. So, for example, a Stage can be returned to as necessary during the life of a process.
What a “Stage” actually represents is not a time period (like a project phase), but a related set of goals of the process. Hence, all Messages, Activities and Deliverables of the Stage are also about this related set of goals. Similarly, each of the Roles assigned to a Stage has its own specific responsibility for helping to achieve these goals.
You will see that this paradigm is simple (non-technical), real-world (it matches what people actually do) and helpful (it groups work along natural boundaries).
In future blog posts, I will explain more about the HIM approach to process description. In the meantime, if you would like to try HumanEdj, , visit http://rolemodellers.com/get_started to register for an account on the demo Web instance.