Process Reference Frameworks
A reference framework is a ready-made catalogue of processes for an industry or function. It saves you drawing the top levels of the process-architecture-and-governance from nothing and gives a common vocabulary for benchmarking. None of them is a notation: you still model the details in BPMN or similar.
ITIL (IT service management)
ITIL describes how to run IT services. ITIL 4 is organised around a service value system, four dimensions, guiding principles and a set of management practices. It is owned by PeopleCert after its acquisition of AXELOS (peoplecert). Used by IT service desks and operations; certifications are in bpm-certifications.
APQC Process Classification Framework (PCF)
A cross-industry taxonomy of business processes published by APQC. Version 7.4 (August 2024) has 13 enterprise-level categories with process groups and more than 1,000 processes and activities, plus industry-specific variants. A secondary guide reports a version 8.0 (unconfirmed). Used to classify and benchmark processes across companies.
SCOR (supply chain)
The Supply Chain Operations Reference model, now maintained by ASCM. The classic model has six processes: Plan, Source, Make, Deliver, Return, Enable. The SCOR Digital Standard reorganises these (trade press lists Orchestrate, Plan, Order, Source, Transform, Fulfill, Return). Used by manufacturers, distributors and logistics (enterprise-resource-planning context).
eTOM (telecom)
The TM Forum Business Process Framework, from the enhanced Telecom Operations Map, an industry-agreed view of the processes a communication service provider needs. Three major areas: strategy, infrastructure and product; operations; enterprise management. Part of TM Forum’s Open Digital Framework; used by telecom operators and vendors.
Choosing
| Your context | Start from |
|---|---|
| Any business, need a process map and benchmark | APQC PCF |
| IT service delivery | ITIL |
| Supply chain and operations | SCOR |
| Telecom | eTOM |
Open items
- SCOR Digital Standard process list from trade press; check ASCM documentation. APQC version 8.0 not confirmed.
Related
epc-and-aris (ARIS ships reference content), BPM hub
Sources
- APQC PCF 7.4: https://www.apqc.org/resource-library/resource-listing/apqc-process-classification-framework-pcf-cross-industry-pdf-12
- PeopleCert acquisition of AXELOS: https://www.peoplecert.org/news-and-announcements/peoplecert-completes-axelos-acquisition
- ASCM SCOR Digital Standard: https://www.ascm.org/globalassets/ascm_website_assets/docs/intro-and-front-matter-scor-digital-standard.pdf
- TM Forum Business Process Framework (eTOM): https://www.tmforum.org/oda/business-process-framework-etom/