Method and system for using a component business model to transform warranty claims processing in the automotive industry

Abstract

A method, system and service for using a component business model to transform a business process. The invention uses a component business model of a business to prioritize business changes affecting key performance indicators for the business process, defines an information technology architecture to support the business changes, and specifies a roadmap for implementing the supporting information technology architecture. In a particular application of the invention to the automobile manufacturing business, the business process is the warranty claims process, and a length of time to process a warranty claim is a key performance indicator.

1 . A method for using a component business model to transform a business process, comprising: 
 using a component business model of a business to prioritize business changes affecting key performance indicators for the business process;    defining an information technology architecture to support the business changes; and    specifying a roadmap for implementing the supporting information technology architecture.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein using a component business model of a business to prioritize business changes further comprises: 
 using a component business model to prioritize components of the business;    identifying pain points in the business process;    mapping the business process to the component business model;    using the identified pain points and the mapped component business model to identify opportunities to improve the business process, the identified opportunities being opportunities to make business changes in the components; and    prioritizing the identified opportunities in terms of impact on the key performance indicators and ease of implementation.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein defining an information technology architecture to support the business changes further comprises: 
 defining a baseline solution architecture view;    using the component business model to identify information technology shortfalls;    mapping the pain points to the baseline solution architecture view;    identifying business requirements for eliminating the pain points;    identifying information technology capabilities required to support elimination of the pain points; and    defining a target solution architecture view using the identified business requirements and the required supporting information technology capabilities.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein using a component business model to prioritize components of the business further comprises: 
 developing a view of the component business model that indicates whether a given component is strategic, or is to be operated at competitive parity, or is to be operated at a basic level; and    developing a view of the component business model that shows an impact of a given component on the key performance indicators.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the components are comprised of activities and the identified opportunities are opportunities to make business changes in the activities.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the business process involves collaboration with dealers and suppliers.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the business is the automobile manufacturing business, the business process is the warranty claims process, and a length of time to process a warranty claim is a key performance indicator.  
     
     
         8 . A system for using a component business model to transform a business process, comprising: 
 means for using a component business model of a business to prioritize business changes affecting key performance indicators for the business process;    means for defining an information technology architecture to support the business changes; and    means for specifying a roadmap for implementing the supporting information technology architecture.    
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein means for using a component business model of a business to prioritize business changes further comprises: 
 means for using a component business model to prioritize components of the business;    means for identifying pain points in the business process;    means for mapping the business process to the component business model;    means for using the identified pain points and the mapped component business model to identify opportunities to improve the business process, the identified opportunities being opportunities to make business changes in the components; and    means for prioritizing the identified opportunities in terms of impact on the key performance indicators and ease of implementation.    
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the means for defining an information technology architecture to support the business changes further comprises: 
 means for defining a baseline solution architecture view;    means for using the component business model to identify information technology shortfalls;    means for mapping the pain points to the baseline solution architecture view;    means for identifying business requirements for eliminating the pain points;    means for identifying information technology capabilities required to support elimination of the pain points; and    means for defining a target solution architecture view using the identified business requirements and the required supporting information technology capabilities.    
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the means for using a component business model to prioritize components of the business further comprises: 
 means for developing a view of the component business model that indicates whether a given component is strategic, or is to be operated at competitive parity, or is to be operated at a basic level; and    means for developing a view of the component business model that shows an impact of a given component on the key performance indicators.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the components are comprised of activities and the identified opportunities are opportunities to make business changes in the activities.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the business process involves collaboration with dealers and suppliers.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the business is the automobile manufacturing business, the business process is the warranty claims process, and a length of time to process a warranty claim is a key performance indicator.  
     
     
         15 . Implementing a service for using a component business model to transform a business process, comprising the method of: 
 using a component business model of a business to prioritize business changes affecting key performance indicators for the business process;    defining an information technology architecture to support the business changes; and    specifying a roadmap for implementing the supporting information technology architecture.    
     
     
         16 . A method implementing a service as in  claim 15 , wherein using a component business model of a business to prioritize business changes further comprises: 
 using a component business model to prioritize components of the business;    identifying pain points in the business process;    mapping the business process to the component business model;    using the identified pain points and the mapped component business model to identify opportunities to improve the business process, the identified opportunities being opportunities to make business changes in the components; and    prioritizing the identified opportunities in terms of impact on the key performance indicators and ease of implementation.    
     
     
         17 . A method implementing a service as in  claim 16 , wherein defining an information technology architecture to support the business changes further comprises: 
 defining a baseline solution architecture view;    using the component business model to identify information technology shortfalls;    mapping the pain points to the baseline solution architecture view;    identifying business requirements for eliminating the pain points;    identifying information technology capabilities required to support elimination of the pain points; and    defining a target solution architecture view using the identified business requirements and the required supporting information technology capabilities.    
     
     
         18 . A method implementing a service as in  claim 16 , wherein using a component business model to prioritize components of the business further comprises: 
 developing a view of the component business model that indicates whether a given component is strategic, or is to be operated at competitive parity, or is to be operated at a basic level; and    developing a view of the component business model that shows an impact of a given component on the key performance indicators.    
     
     
         19 . A method implementing a service as in  claim 16 , wherein the components are comprised of activities and the identified opportunities are opportunities to make business changes in the activities.  
     
     
         20 . A computer implemented system for using a component business model to transform a business process, comprising: 
 first computer code for using a component business model of a business to prioritize business changes affecting key performance indicators for the business process;    second computer code for defining an information technology architecture to support the business changes; and    third computer code for specifying a roadmap for implementing the supporting information technology architecture.