Leading Enterprise Architecture software company Ardoq has consistently challenged a well-established industry by offering an innovative and progressive platform for enterprise architecture that appeals to the decision-makers in the organization in addition to the enterprise architects. Now, they are taking new steps to strengthen their position, and when the opportunity arose to strike a deal with ShiftX, Ardoq quickly showed interest.

We have followed ShiftX for a long time and are incredibly impressed with what they have achieved—both in terms of a solid, exciting, and sought-after product, as well as some truly satisfied customers. Our customers have long requested additional process capabilities, and we see great potential for synergies where ShiftX’s technology will undoubtedly strengthen our platform significantly,

For us, this means new user groups from the business side, opportunities for upselling, and a more holistic approach that our customers can benefit from. Additionally, we are welcoming new colleagues in the form of a highly competent team from ShiftX, who are already integrated into the organization.

ShiftX provides a simple and intuitive platform for process modeling, enabling businesses to quickly achieve a shared understanding across departments and levels within the organization. The result is reduced time to understand each other and a solid foundation for working agilely on developing and improving processes. The team of five from ShiftX is already in place in Ardoq's new offices at Grensen, and according to CEO and co-founder, Nikolai Strandskogen, exciting times are ahead.

Ardoq has had a brilliant growth journey in recent years and achieved an international expansion that few other Norwegian SaaS companies can boast of. They value good user experiences as highly as we do, have high ambitions for using AI in product development, and a unique culture that we are excited to be a part of. We see significant synergies, and by integrating our platforms, we will create entirely new value for our customers. We have great faith in our joint project, so these are truly exciting times for all of us.

Like Ardoq, ShiftX is on a mission to enable better decision-making processes across the organization. The solution aims to contribute to a transparent understanding of how things are interconnected within the business, and unlike other traditional tools, ShiftX is dynamic and data-driven. Teams can work live on the platform and collaboratively develop processes to create a shared understanding. Process mapping is also crucial for various audits and certifications, making ShiftX a business-critical software, especially for larger enterprises.

We started ShiftX because in previous roles, we saw how a shared understanding could change the dynamics of a team or project, lead to better decisions, and make people more positive about changes. Like Ardoq, we have also challenged our industry on how to work with process modeling, focusing less on standardizations and traditional modeling languages, and more on user-friendliness and quick business value,

ShiftX has a wide range of use-cases, including documenting and improving processes where connections are clarified, conducting risk assessments, handling deviations, planning product launches, and developing services. According to Ardoq’s Bakstad, the product team at Ardoq and the ShiftX team are already hard at work figuring out how best to integrate the platforms in the quest for valuable synergies for their customers.

Now, we will spend the next few months developing a joint roadmap on how best to merge the products and bring them to market. ShiftX’s solution can be a clear entry point to our platform for the business side. Ardoq has always been focused on making data and insights accessible to decision-makers, and with ShiftX on board, we are pushing the boundaries even further for what data we can map and connect. This will clearly set us apart from our competitors, and it is an excellent position to be in

ShiftX joins Ardoq

However, none of these cater to business process management and have significant drawbacks.

Process mapping tools are designed for specialists, leading to a steep learning curve.

Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) is often hard for people to understand

Function more as advanced whiteboards rather than data-centric process mapping solutions.

There is no easy way to organize and understand how the processes are connected

It’s hard to collaborate between people and departments

If you have tried some of these tools and felt some of the mentioned shortcomings, we urge you to see how 

ShiftX has a radically different approach to Process Mapping

A process mapping tool is a software that can significantly improve the way you understand and carry out tasks within your company. By visually outlining your workflows, you can see not only how things are currently done, but also identify opportunities for making your processes more efficient and effective. 

Get a quick introduction to process mapping

Complexity in understanding process maps is a significant barrier. Tools relying on BPMN, with its myriad symbols, can be daunting. Using PowerPoint instead of process mapping tools can make you focus more on aligning graphics.

ShiftX addresses these issues effectively. It is an intuitive, fast, and user-friendly tool, eliminating the need for complex notations. Its drag-and-drop functionality and straightforward path creation make process mapping accessible to all.

Enhancing collaboration in process mapping

knowledge about how a business operates is spread throughout the organization

. To improve business, gather knowledge and best practices from all employees for process mapping.

With ShiftX, it's easy to involve people and assign ownership to parts of a process. In context, they can add details, content, links, or discuss improvement potential with comments.

You can answer questions about where the system is used and what happens before the process." and "Who is responsible for that process?" because everything in ShiftX is data.

If you have ever used Miro, Microsoft Visio, or PowerPoint for process mapping you know it’s like working on a canvas. You cannot view reports on which systems are part of certain processes. You also cannot see the connections between different business processes or the total time a specific path takes in the flow.

With ShiftX you can do all of this and more. We help you and your colleagues see the bigger picture. We explore new perspectives and work on improving your operation.

If you want a more in-depth comparison, check out how we 

Leading the Way in Process Mapping for 2024

Tailored for both Business Process Management and Process Mapping, ShiftX offers a uniq approach. It creates intuitive, consistent process maps without the need for external consultants. Embrace the expertise within your organization and start with ShiftX – it’s user-friendly and free to get started. 

Best Process Mapping Tools and Software for 2024

 in every organization that can significantly improve the way you understand and carry out tasks within your company. By visually outlining your workflows, you can see not only how things are currently done, but also identify opportunities for making your processes more efficient and effective.

And with a process mapping tool like ShiftX, this becomes not just a task but an interactive experience that can involve your entire team and even your stakeholders. Let's walk you through the steps to create a process map that can transform your workflow.

The first step in process mapping is to establish clear goals. What do you want to achieve with your process map? You may want to comply with new regulations, identify potential risks, or improve collaboration between different departments.

Knowing your objectives from the start helps you use process mapping tools more effectively, ensuring each part of your process map has a clear purpose.

In any process, there are individuals or teams who take action. These are your 'actors'. When mapping your process, it's crucial to identify these roles accurately.

This is not just about listing all roles but understanding their impact and contributions to the workflow. It helps in recognizing areas where roles may overlap or where additional resources might be beneficial.

This stage is crucial for developing an effective process map. It allows you to see the bigger picture of how each role interact, leading to a more efficient and well-structured process.

Now, it's time to break down the process into steps. This part is more than just listing what needs to be done, it's about understanding the sequence and how each step leads to the next.

Think of it as drawing a map that someone else can follow without getting lost.

Your goal is to make a process map that's easy to use and helps make the workflow smoother and more efficient. When you're done, you should have a clear guide that explains the whole process in a straightforward way.

The next step in making your process map is to assign roles to each step. This means making it clear which role is responsible for what in each part of the process.

It's about organizing who does what, so there's no confusion later on. Adding roles to each step has big benefits:

 Everyone knows who's in charge of each task. This stops tasks from being missed or done twice.

 When people know their specific roles, they're more likely to take ownership and do their best.

 It's easier to see if a step is missing someone or if one role is doing too much.

Integrating roles into each step of your process map is crucial for creating a well-structured and transparent process. This helps keep everything running smoothly and makes sure everyone knows their part.

After mapping your process, share it with your co-workers. 

 will be a good test of its clarity. They may spot issues or suggest additional steps that you hadn't considered. Be open to their feedback, a fresh set of eyes can be invaluable.

Remember, the goal of sharing the process map with your team is not just to inform them but to engage them. Their input is invaluable, providing a perspectives that can significantly enhance the quality of your process map. Encourage open dialogue and be ready to make adjustments based on their feedback.

For each actor in your process, describe their role and actions in detail. This helps avoid misunderstandings later on. Everyone involved should be able to look at the process map and know exactly what's expected of them and others.

Some steps in your process will be riskier than others. Highlight these areas and assign someone to monitor and manage them. Make a note of any potential solutions or action plans, along with any deadlines.

ShiftX allows you to add comments to each step. Decide how you want to use this feature. Will you keep comments to capture the history of changes, or will you delete them to keep the map clean? Set rules so everyone knows how to use comments effectively.

A process map isn't just a diagram; it can be a repository of knowledge. Link to relevant documents, policies, or regulations directly in your map. Use dynamic links for documents that get updated regularly, so your process map always reflects the most current information.

Some parts of your process may be complex enough to be an own sub-processes. Separate these from your main map to avoid clutter. Make sure these sub-processes have an owner who is responsible for keeping them updated.

Incorporate realistic timeframes into your process map. This helps set expectations for how long each step should take and allows for more accurate planning and scheduling.

Clearly describe how actors in each step interact with each other. Who hands off information to whom? How do different departments communicate within the step? Understanding and defining these interaction points is crucial for a smooth process.

Periodically review your process map to ensure it remains clear and relevant. Look for missing steps, bottlenecks, or any new risks that may have arisen. Regular reviews help keep your process map a living document that evolves with your organization.

By following these steps and using ShiftX, you'll create not just a process map, but a dynamic 

 that will help streamline your workflows, clarify roles and responsibilities, and improve overall efficiency in your organization.

Introduction to Process Mapping

Visio alternative

Take advantage of the extensive sharing options to distribute a process outside your workspace.

Don't stop sharing

Share the process. Spread the knowledge.

Process improvement. One step at a time.

Great ways to use ShiftX

Fast and understandable process mapping

Process Analyst

Process mapping and management

Map smarter with actors

From Journey Mapping to Service Blueprints

Improve indefinitely

Turn insight into action

Journey mapping as it should be

Key Account Manager

Customer journeys

Use cases

Product

Process mapping

Customer journey

Routines

Solutions

Templates

Integrations

One of the biggest trends impacting the business world today is agility. “Agile” has arguably become the hottest buzzword in the last decade. Since the publishing of the Agile Manifesto in 2001, we have seen an explosion in new ways of building and leading organizations (Gustavsson, 2016).

Even though the Agile Manifesto was created primarily for and by software developers, its values and mindset have inspired people involved in different aspects of modern business.

At its core, “agile” describes a way of working characterized by frequent and incremental improvements as well as ongoing reassessment and adaptation of plans (Glavenski, 2016). An agile way of thinking means that you are always customer-centered, actively seeking customer feedback, and ready to change solutions based on that feedback.

Different agile methods have emerged due to this thinking, which are all based on the Agile Manifesto. These methods involve multiple iterations, small teams, short timelines, constant affirmation, and inspections before each iteration (Dutton, 2018). Studies have shown that implementing agile methods empowers employees, as it grants them more autonomy in decision making, which then boosts creativity (Rigby, Sutherland, and Noble, 2018).

The world is changing more rapidly than ever before, and agile working is becoming the new normal. The turbulent markets we see today are ruthless battlegrounds, where established companies are constantly forced to keep up with the tempo of their insurgent competitors to avoid being overthrown. 

In the article “Fast Execution Needs Fast Strategy”, Stalk and Stewart claim that “.. across the business landscape, speed is becoming more important than size, and the basis of competition is shifting from scale to pace or tempo” (2019). They argue that the traditional, annual strategic planning process doesn’t help build fast and agile organizations.

Instead, modern companies need continuous, strategic change based on fresh marketplace insight. To develop a high level of agility, managers need tools and models that stimulate agile behavior throughout the organization.

If you want to read more about fast and agile organizations, we recommend these articles:

ShiftX is a new way to do business process modeling. By focusing on usability and collaboration, we aim to close the knowledge gap between the different groups and sections in your company, organization, or unit by enabling everyone to participate and share their insights.

Agile organizations - The new normal: Agility

The Agile Manifesto

Size doesn't matter - but speed does

Give it a go - it's free

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ShiftX joins Ardoq

Best Process Mapping Tools and Software for 2024

Introduction to Process Mapping