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Guidelines for Decomposing Business Functions and Processes

Identify a Business Function


Identify the business functions.  A function is composed of a logical set of ongoing activities or processes that sustain the organization's business objectives (i.e., producing a product, providing a service).  A function can be managed but cannot be performed.


Identify Business Processes


Once the business function has been identified, define the business processes that make up the business function.


A business process is a distinct activity described by its inputs and outputs.  A process describes a unique behaviour that has a beginning and an end.  A process is performed repeatedly.


A business process may be:


·          manual,

·          automated,

·          assisted by automation.


Verbs Suitable for Naming Business Processes


The following verbs are suitable for naming business processes:


·          acquire,

·          agree,

·          assess,

·          attend,

·          build,

·          calculate,

·          check,

·          conduct,

·          create,

·          define,

·          determine,

·          develop,

·          examine,

·          identify,

·          maintain,

·          market,

·          obtain,

·          plan,

·          record,

·          remove,

·          report,

·          select,

·          specify,

·          test,

·          update.


Distinguishing Between a Business Function and a Business Process


Functions, which describe what an organization does, can be decomposed into processes that describe how the work is accomplished.


If an activity can be performed, it is a process.  Otherwise, it is a function.  For example, you cannot perform the function Marketing but you can perform the business process Contact a Customer.


Functions can break down into other functions or business processes.  Business processes can only break down into other business processes.


Criterion of Decomposition


There should be a single criterion used to differentiate between levels of the decomposition.  The criterion is the rule applied during the process of building a decomposition diagram, e.g., a Function Chart, that assures the diagram contents are consistent.


The criterion, or rule, of decomposition specifies the relationship between the function that is being decomposed and its constituent processes.


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Read 4 comments


We have noted you are not using the function naming convention in your examples. Could you check it.
What actually is data decomposition and why do we do it? Whats the need?
In defining the business functions, are we talking about Departments and sections , or we are talking about the functions performed by the business,

And as you've said, that functions a combination of processes, can you give us a list of these functions,

Thank you
Yes. You can say every business unit is divided into functions or departments or divisions or sections. Typical functions include marketing, production, accounting, finance, HR, internal audit, procurement, distribution, HSC, etc

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Archive Category: Requirements Management
Keyword Tags:  functional   decomposition   verbs   naming   processes

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