Enterprise
VAC
A high-level notation for depicting the value chain at the level of an organization’s core processes.
Porter’s concept
The value-added chain is a concept that took shape in the mid-1980s within the theory of competitive advantage. It proposes viewing an organization’s activity as a sequence of activities, each of which adds value for the end consumer.
Porter divided activities into:
- Primary — inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics, marketing, service
- Support — infrastructure, HR, technology, procurement
The graphical notation
In BPM practice a simplified VAC notation is used — a sequence of arrow-shaped blocks, each corresponding to a major process or process area. VAC is applied at the top level of an enterprise’s process architecture — as a “map” of all processes that unfold, when detailed, into more granular notations (BPMN, EPC).
Where it is used
VAC is best for:
- The top level of a process architecture
- Strategic presentations
- Aligning the big picture with top management
- Identifying process areas for later detailing
Limitations
- Not meant for describing process details
- Does not show conditional logic and branching
- A high level of abstraction — each block may hide dozens of real processes