Business Process Modelling (BPM) is methodology and a modern term which has evolved through different stages and names, starting ‘division of labour’ when manufacturing first transferred into factories from cottage industry. More explanation is in the historical growth below.
Broadly the term ‘business’ in Business Process Model/Modelling/modeling is interchangeable with ‘organisation’. Business Process Modelling isn’t just carried out in businesses that are conventional; the methodology is increasingly relevant to all sorts of other organisations, departments and for example government agencies, cooperatives, mutuals and charities, etc.
‘Business Process Management’ is a good example of a significance that is different and associated. More information are in the glossary below.
Further reading; http://www.sparxsystems.com/business_process_model.html