Most BPM systems offer some form of simulation capability. Simulation capabilities range from the very simple ability to walk through a process, to very sophisticated case-arrival/activity performance models, and even to goal-seeking optimization capabilities. In this post I explore the relationship between simulation and Model PReserving/Transforming Strategy. Continue reading
In an earlier post, I introduced the concept of a “Model Preserving Strategy” versus a “Model Transforming Strategy” and defined them as two approaches that a BPMS can take in the lifecycle of a business process. I then posted a couple of situations where the Model Preserving Strategy is a better choice, but it is not always a better choice. This post is dedicated to those situations where the Model Transforming Strategy shines.
The main reason for transforming a model into another form, is to realize performance improvements. Continue reading
We often talk about the process “round trip”. The process lifecycle is explicitly about moving the process through different people with different specializations. The business analyst draws a high-level model and the systems integrator includes details for connecting the systems. Another dynamic is the continual process improvement that occurs when you assess how effective the current process is, make a change at the high level, and take that change through the lifecycle again. Continue reading
A by-product of automating work is the records is made that indicate precisely when each task is started and completed. Analytic information about how your organization is working can actually be far more valuable than the cost savings derived from the automation. A lot can be learned from this analysis that can help you improve your organization. Some claim that this is the principle benefit of BPM.
In an earlier post, I introduced the concept of a “Model Preserving Strategy” versus a “Model Transforming Strategy” and defined them as two approaches that a BPMS can take in the lifecycle of a business process. This post delves into how process analytics are effected by model strategy. Continue reading
It started out as a casual conversation over drinks at the Oct 2008 BPM Tech Show in DC, late in the afternoon, after the tutorials and presentations had finished. We wanted to know: “why is there such a variation in different BPM systems?” This expanded into a breakfast meeting the following morning on the topic of “What are advantages/ disadvantages of either preserving or transforming a BPM model?” We found that most existing systems tend to follow one of two possible strategies. Existing BPM Systems (and their associated methodologies) can be categorized as supporting either a “Model Transforming Strategy” or a “Model Preserving Strategy”.
It was remarkable how passionate people were about their position. Continue reading
Bruce Silver’s latest post “Reframing the BPMN vs BPEL Debate” calls to question whether it is worth continued discussion of the definition of BPM. Like most of Bruce’s posts, it is insightful and well worth reading. This is in response to a post by Boris Lublinsky on “BPEL: Who Needs It Anyway?”
I am a little surprised by Bruce’s response, Continue reading
Quote for today:
“As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our founding fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake.” – Barak Obama, Inauguration Address, 2009
Particularly well put.
The title of this post comes from a sign on an art gallery in Washington DC which was closed for renovations, but which passers-by one after another mistook as promotional material for the new administration. I guess it is a sign of the times.
I have been investigating REST oriented workflow in a secure environment for the past couple of months. I covered OpenID a few months ago which is perfect for allowing for a kind of single sign on (SSO) in a web 2.0 environment without giving any service your password. Signing on to services is important, but how do you get a service to talk to another service, without giving one of them your password? Continue reading
A lot of the confusion and difficulty in the BPM community is because some people think that BPM is a kind of Software Engineering.
Update: Please reference the post: One Common Definition for BPM where BPM is clearly a practice of a manager who assesses and improves the process for an organizational unit. It is not the development of the application that support activity. This post originally written in 2008, we find that even in 2014 there is still confusion on this point. Continue reading
I received by email a couple questions today, repeated below with my answers.
I am an independent software developer turned architect / business analyst. Over the last year or so I have found quite a bit of work by going into businesses and explaining them how their own internal processes work (through made up flowcharts and long winded explanations).
Question 1: Do you think the BPMN is overkill for documenting a small businesses BP? Continue reading
Thinking Matters 