Journal of Management Information Systems

Volume 12 Number 1 1995 pp. 31-56

Strategies for Business Process Reengineering: Evidence from Field Studies

Earl, Michael J, Sampler, Jeffrey L, and Short, James E

ABSTRACT: This paper reports on early results from case study research into the relationship between business process reengineering (BPR) and strategic planning. First a framework for analysis is proposed based on the concept of alignment. This "process alignment model" comprises four lenses of enquiry: process, strategy, information systems. and change management and control. Four case studies are then described, selected from a wider sample to demonstrate variation across the four domains. A taxonomy of strategies for BPR is derived from the case studies. This taxonomy suggests a richer variety of BPR practice than has been documented to date and provides an opportunity and platform for further research.

Key words and phrases: business process reengineering, change management, information systems planning, strategic planning