Buffer external information and subscribe to updates
Instead of requesting information from an external source, buffer it and subscribe to updates
Reijers, H., & Liman Mansar, S. (2005). Best practices in business process redesign: an overview and qualitative evaluation of successful redesign heuristics. Omega, 33(4)
Obtaining information from other parties is a major, time consuming part in many workflows. By having information directly available when it is required, throughput times may be substantially reduced. Note that this buffering is a weak form of the integration pattern. Instead of direct access to the original source of information in the integration alternative a copy is maintained.
This pattern can be compared to the caching principle microprocessors apply. Of course, the subscription fee for information updates may be rather costly. This is especially so when we consider the situation that an information source may contain far more information than is ever used. Substantial cost may also be involved with storing all the information.
Foundational free Patterns
Eliminate unnecessary activities
If capacity is insufficient, consider increasing the available number of resources
Start implementing actions that can offset or counterbalance the environmental effects generated by business processes that cannot be changed.
Replace underlying resources with eco-friendly alternatives
Consider whether it is eco-friendly to let humans work over machines
Let customers interact with the company wherever they want to
Reassign tasks along the organisational hierarchy
Allocate task based on past feedback or quality metrics
Distribute tasks by interdepartmental interactions to enable or restrict involvement