Business Process Management

Active Journal of Business Process Management


Optimizing Broadcast Content Management with Media Workflow


The positive implications for media workflow optimization are enormous. By facilitating the efficient movement and reengineering of content throughout a broadcasting firm, workflow takes on media programming from the bottom up.

Indeed, three of the essential steps involve acquiring, managing and distributing content. A workflow engine built into a media company’s IT structure – as well as its workforce policy – is able to make this process efficient, productive and cost effective.

Throughout the span of any business process, there are an innumerable number of seemingly invisible workflow steps which can – or cannot be – fundamental to the overall completion of a task or series of tasks. The correct structuring of workflow processes, therefore, enables the efficient transfer of information and media programming throughout the flow cycle.

Since broadcasting is wrought with countless workflow steps, the factors for inefficiency are astounding. The sheer number of hours spent by any media content management professional in micro-managing the step by step process, or fixing broken steps along the way, make it understandable why more effective workflow structuring is in high demand.

That’s why one of the greatest contributions of workflow technology is automation. By ensuring that processes flow seamlessly through the stages of getting, overseeing and sending out valuable media programming, a technological tool can free up the human processes for the creative endeavors to which these individuals are far more suited.

How would a business process management solution affect the workflow of media broadcasting? Essentially, the best solution will remove the costly quirks and streamline flow into a system that follows ordered and pre-structured patterns.

The ultimate goal of media workflow optimization is the automation of content uptake, acquiring metadata, media ingest, storing content, retrieving, searching, managing assets, editing cuts from the desktop, making schedules, accounting, billing, trans coding, managing archives and playout.

And while the results of any optimized workflow solution will be immediately noticeable, it is only the best business process management system that is designed to implement a functional IT infrastructure well into the future.

That’s why the leaders in media workflow technology stress the importance of a solution which are scalable. In addition, they must accommodate gradual implementation such that a broadcasting company’s system overhaul doesn’t take the whole operation out of commission for hours or even days.

Lastly, one of the most important features of a business process management solution for the media industry is cohesiveness. By integrating vital information on media assets as well as financial assets, a positive workflow system will streamline the CRM, accounting, and legal departments so that all parties are, effectively, on the same page.