The Insider's Guide to Next-Generation BPM
By Kalpa Shah, Vice President, Skelta Software , 06/09/2010
Print this article
Email this article
Talk Back!
Write to Editor
Editor's note: Join ebizQ for BPM in Action on June 23, 2010.
The way most BPM solutions approach improving any process is by first understanding
the process, then analyzing it. Then this is generally followed by process simulation
which allows the business to visualize possible effects of the changes. This
is followed by the process improvement stage and finally, the automation of
the process in question. The question being, can BPM solutions do without the
simulation stage?
Well, we do know that the BPM sphere has seen rapid growth since its inception,
and changing trends are now becoming increasingly commonplace. Processes are
definitely more automated now as compared to a couple of years ago, and the
focus of such solutions is becoming more and more client based. However, with
the focus shifting on the needs of individual clients, providing relevant solutions
does raise the expense factor to a certain extent.
The Traditional View of Simulation in BPM
A number of people still see simulation as an integral part of BPM software.
The rationale is that since you have a BPM model in place, you have access to
data that indicates exactly what happens within the given process, and this
gives you the data for your simulation model. But for a complete understanding
of this aspect, taking a step backward offers more insight.
The Process Analysis Stage
Since this is the stage that precedes the simulation stage, let's see how it
fits into the scheme of things starting from here. Analyzing and optimizing
a process is usually overlooked by the process leader and it is this role that
looks to identify any problems as well as make any suggestions. This is done
after having gone through the entire process, its performance, as well as all
associated data; and the aim is to better the overall process performance.
Also, since a majority of the businesses looking at BPM solutions aren't in
a position to get more manpower, BPM solutions tend to offer tools that allow
businesses to test various alternatives.
Process Simulation
Since there is a need to test various alternatives, many BPM solutions do incorporate
simulation tools which allow businesses to compare an assortment of scenarios.
These tools essentially run using statistical analysis of factors like resource
utilization, queue lengths, average task completion, durations, etc. and can
be an effective method to test probable situations. However, a simulation tool
is generally very complex in nature, with every statistical link requiring checking.
This can lead to a lot of complexity within the process instead, which is against
the most widely accepted philosophy of BPM - making processes simple and transparent.
The Process Improvement Stage
Some business process software comes with optimization tools which allow a business
to establish the best path towards the improvement of the process. This works
in addressing the simulation stage's natural glitches; wherein, as opposed to
an analyst determining the areas that can be improved upon, the tool would actually
give you feasible options.
Besides, comparing simulated scenarios isn't always beneficial to business growth.
This is simply because different business managers would look to measure different
metrics/components in reaching effective conclusions.
So while I'm not writing off the role of simulation completely, I am certainly
of the opinion that more cost effectual and efficient BPM solutions can be offered
without the use of simulation tools.
-1-
Best Practices in Moving Processes to the Clouds
How Can the Cloud Fit Into Your Applications Strategy?
Cloud Data Integration Best Practices
The Economics of Cloud Computing
Data Services Insight: Successful implementation of Canonical Information Models
Measuring the ROI from web experience management 
Prescription for Pain Alleviation: Transaction Path Detection and Management
Business Process Assurance: Ensuring Critical Business Processes Are Executed Without Disruption
Paving the Way for Windows 7 Adoption
How to Empower Your Business Innovators to Make the Most of Business Process Management
ebizQ editorial highlights and updates, compiled by Site Editor Anne Stuart
March 10, 2011
The sixth annual BPM in Action 2011 Virtual Conference will explore cutting-edge market developments in BPM and describe how to leverage them for improved business operation and performance. More
Date:Apr 07, 2010
Time:13:00 PM
ET- (17:00 GMT)
Date:Apr 07, 2010
Time:12:00 PM
ET- (16:00 GMT)
In part two of Joe McKendrick's recent podcast with Miko Matsumura, chief strategist for Software AG, they talk about how SOA and IT systems need to change and grow and adapt with the organization around it.
Listen Now
Phil Wainewright interviews David Vap, VP of products at RightNow Technologies, and finds out how sharing best practices can help businesses understand how best to engage with online communities.
Listen Now
Scott Hebner, Vice President of Marketing and Strategy for IBM Rational, discusses a topic on the top of every company's mind today: getting the most from IT investments.
Listen Now
In BI, this tough economy and the increasing role of Web 2.0 and MDM are certainly topics on people's minds today. WiseAnalytics' Lyndsay Wise addresses each of them in this informative podcast.
Listen Now
Deepak Singh, President and CTO of Adeptia, joins ebizQ's Dennis Byron in a podcast that gets its hand around the trend of industry-specific BPM.
Listen NowSmart event processing can help your company run smarter and faster. This comprehensive guide helps you research the basics of complex event processing (CEP) and learn how to get started on the right foot with your CEP project using EDA, RFID, SOA, SCADA and other relevant technologies. Learn More
A lot of people are talking about Enterprise 2.0 as being the business application of Web 2.0 technology. However, there's still some debate on exactly what this technology entails, how it applies to today's business models, and which components bring true value. Some use the term Enterprise 2.0 exclusively to describe the use of social networking technologies in the enterprise, while others use it to describe a web economy platform, or the technological framework behind such a platform. Still others say that Enterprise 2.0 is all of these things. Learn More
|
|
This new publication from our sister site SearchSOA.com explores workflow, business activity monitoring (BAM) and complex event processing (CEP) issues. |
|
|
