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
Category Archives: BPM
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.
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
Would Taylor have used PriceLine?
If you could use a time machine to pick up Fredrick Winslow Taylor, and bring him to our time, would he use PriceLine to find a hotel to stay in? We would have to fill him in on 100 years of technological development first, of course. This odd thought occurred to me as I was making arrangements to attend the process.gov event in Washington DC next month. It was Nathaniel Palmer who pointed out to me that using PriceLine is the antithesis to Scientific Management. Continue reading
Links for 03/23/2010
Just links today
- Andrew Smith asks “Do people get BPM and Case Management? For some, Case Management is critical…” Don’t miss the long comment from Tom Shepherd.
- Janell Hill has “Five Predictions for How BPM Will Evolve“, summarized: (1) more knowledge workers will be supported in the future, (2) more dynamic models, (3) more knowledge-adaptable technology, (4) that are composed at run time, and (5) will link businesses together.
- “Gartner Reveals Five Business Process Management Predictions for 2010 and Beyond” with a slightly different order: (1) knowledge-adaptable and assembled just in time, (2) dynamic BPM, (3) composition instead of development, (4) linking businesses, and (5) knowledge workers.
- Max Pucher responds with “Gartner Group predicts Adaptive Process Trend“
- Ashish Bhagwat says “Dynamic Process Capabilities are powerful, but use with caution” with a side discussion about why this might be so.
All of these reflect strongly on the idea that “Adaptive Case Management” is a strong trend for the future. We are getting closer to the release of “Mastering the Unpredictable“, and new book on this subject.
Governance, Risk & Compliance Webinar
I have a small part in a webinar being presented tomorrow on Governance, Risk, and Compliance, and particularly how Open Pages has built a GRC solution on the Fujitsu Interstage BPM patform. OpenPages is the leading provider of integrated risk management solutions for global companies. Most of the webinar time will go to John Hagerty, Vice President of Research, Gartner who will talk about the need and benefit of risk management. Here is the link: