Executive Summary

A function-centric approach to business processes has been a norm in organizations. However, this approach is changing as organizations look to break down existing process silos and reengineer structures to align with business outcomes beyond cost reduction or operational efficiencies. This shift is most prominent in the finance, procurement, and supply chain processes where the boundaries between these functions are now blurring to bring out an end-to-end approach.

This shift in view also impacts the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, where organizations are now outsourcing groups of functions that affect a business outcome, rather than tactical outsourcing of individual functions.

This viewpoint looks at the shift in thinking from both the buyers’ and the service providers’ perspectives. Some of the areas covered in this viewpoint are:

• Changing business perspectives that are leading to a business outcome-centric approach
• Emerging convergence areas in F&A, procurement, and SCM functions
• Impact on the business process outsourcing industry
• Advantages of the convergence from both buyer and service provider perspectives