What software tools do people recommend to map business processes?

Question

I'm thinking of using Visio + Sharepoint. Are there any other low-cost packages or Visio add-ons that would be appropriate?

Answer 1

if you need to model business processes in a programming environment the workflow foundation is a good pick..... vs 2008 comes with a designer. this won't do it for presentations however.

sharepoint's processes are based on the workflow foundation... sharepoint designer allows you to create workflows in a 'dummy way'.

sharepoint, in my opinion however, is a resource hungry, unmanageable behemoth

Answer 2

Depends on the business process. Are you talking more about Gnantt Charts? If so Microsoft Project is a great tool. If you are mainly looking at business process flow Visio is good.

Answer 3

I realise you mention cost, but it's hard to beat SmartDraw for any charting task.

Answer 4

You might like to listen to this talk over at IT Conversations by Ward Cunningham about the Eclipse Process Framework Project which covers new tools for documenting and displaying business processes.

Really interesting stuff!

cheers,

Rob

Answer 5

Try Savvion. It's free. http://www.savvion.com/forms1/process_modeler.php