“If you analyze the function of an object, its form often becomes obvious,” – Ferdinand Porsche.
Mister Porsche was probably not thinking about software development or business processes as we know them today while saying that but somehow the quote really became apparent in my daily life.
In order to understand software needs, whether they be our own or those of our customers, we need to understand the need for the software itself. This need is generally coming from a business problem and the answer, at first, needs to be on that level.
The basis of an efficient business, including those that deal in creativity, is efficient organization. It is that efficiency that often is the root for a software need. The key to this efficiency is a repeatable, controlled (and therefore measurable) process in a well designed structure. Much like a football field defines the perimeter and has a large effect on the tactics employed, so too is the impact of a structure of an organization on its processes. Understanding the structure is the first step towards creating a well suited process, and that well suited process can be improved by introducing software.
If you analyze the structure of your business the processes will often become obvious.