Can BPM be ‘Rearchitected’ into to ACM?

I am just now getting around to a post by Alxander Samarin called “Let us architect the use of existing technologies instead of blaming them for bringing complexity/inflexibility/etc. in enterprises.”  This post starts with a well-reasoned overview of the situation, which is accurate and understandable.  I highly recommend this post.  However, while I don’t want to, I must disagree his conclusion. Continue reading

Design by Doing vs. Doing by Design

Jim Sinur wrote a couple of interesting blog posts recently mentioning two distinct approached for supporting work processes:

  • Doing by Design is the pre-planned definition of a predictable, routine process as traditional BPM suggests.  It involves a life-cycle that starts with process discovery, process definition, application development, simulation, testing, and ultimately deploying it.  This works if the process is predictable.
  • Design by Doing is an approach that works when the process is not predictable, and can not be written down ahead of time.  Since you can not predict it, you have to elaborate it as you go along.  You design it, as you are doing it.  There is no development life-cycle.  This works on unpredictable emergent process. Continue reading

Should We Redefine BPM?

Now that we have determined that BPM is not Dead, discussion has turned in a big way to whether BPM should be redefined.  Steve Towers hosted a very long discussion of this on his BP Group on Linked In, with over a hundred comments.  A lively discussion, all over the map.  Peter Shooff at eBizQ todays asks the question, how would you redefined it. Continue reading

Nature of Knowledge Work

I gave a talk last week at the Process.gov conference on the subject of “The Nature of Knowledge Work” which happens also to be the first chapter of Mastering the Unpredictable.  I explore in depth what it is that makes knowledge work different from routine work.  I have converted that talk into a slide cast for your enjoyment 🙂 Continue reading

Launching “Mastering the Unpredictable”

This much anticipated day bring the launch of the book “Mastering the Unpredictable“.  I am at the Process.gov event in Washington DC where we are having a small reception to officially launch the book.  I will use this post to fill in any details that I can about the book and what is in it.

Continue reading

Is BPM Dead?

Scott Francis writes an column saying “BPM is Doing Just Fine, Thankyou” saying that the rumors of BPM’s death are, as Mark Twain would put it: exaggerated.  There has been a lot of  interest and concern on this topic in recent weeks.

Before going too far, let me clearly state that BPM is not dead.  It is vibrant and continues growing. At the same time something else is happening we should all understand. Continue reading

Track on Adaptive Case Management at Process.gov

Process.gov will be in Washington DC on April 14&15.  As the name implies, it is an event aimed at the public and public sector in helping to spread good information about process technologies.  What is entirely new this year is a track on Adaptive Case Management and the launch celebration for the book: “Mastering the Unpredictable“. Continue reading

Lean Publishing of Books in the Cloud

Those who follow this blog frequently will know that I am currently in the process of finishing of a book called “Mastering the Unpredictable“.  We are having the official launch on April 14, and it should be available before that for pre-order on Amazon. Along the way I have learned a lot of book publishing, what used to happen, and how that entire industry is being radically transformed. Continue reading

For Each Blog: A Glossary

When I use a word it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.   – Humpty Dumpty in Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass

When we set out to write Mastering the Unpredictable, we faced a challenge familiar to all groups of people with strong opinions.  We had very very specific points to make, but often said the same thing different ways, Continue reading