Top 5 Myths about BPM

Business Process Management (BPM), one of the fastest growing software markets, offers effective organisational software solutions for improving business processes, increasing efficiency, and complying with regulation. Like all new technologies, there are sometimes confusion and misconceptions regarding business process management.
Here our our top 5 myths and misconceptions about BPM

Myth #1 - BPM is workflow

Wrong. Although BPM started out as a workflow engine methodology for running business processes - it has now envolved into a full life-cycle that includes modeling, process execution, process monitoring and reporting, process simulation and process optimisition.
Today, every BPM tool must include modeling,execution, monitoring and optimisition capababilities.

Myth #2 - BPM is only for complex processes

Wrong. Some of the most important organisational business processes are short and simple processes (example: credit approval, document approval..) BPM brings significant impact by enabling managers to make quicker, better and more-informed decisions.
BPM enables business stakeholders to have more visibility over their business processes and foresee future problems using trend analysis, improve organisational efficiency, minimize risks, enforce organisational policies and reduce internal process complexity.

Myth #3 - BPM is only for programmers

Wrong. The better BPM tools do not need progammers or the IT department to create workflows. These tool are web-based wizards enabling business users to create workflows by theselves (drag n'drop). This enables business users to create their own workflows based on real business needs. IT is only involved inintegrating into external systems, and even they will be using connector wizards instead of coding .

Myth #4 - BPM is expensive

Wrong. BPM tools no longer require large investments in infrastructure. All the you need is a Windows 2003 server and a SQL server 2005 database installed. BPM software is usually priced per user, per company or per process.
BPM software can also be "rented" (see workflow as a service) thus saving money on maintenance and IT staff.
BPM enables organisations to cut costs and reduce the number of employees (or enable them to work more efficiently) by automating their business processes.

Myth #5 - BPM projects are long term projects

Wrong. Most BPM projects go live in less than 45 days. By using the web-based and wizard-driven workflow designers (instead of programming tools like Visual Studio) organisations get processes up and running fast. Designing the workflow takes up to a week. Creating the workflow takes up to two weeks. Deployment and final touches take an extra few days. The hardest part of the BPM project is actually getting all the requirements (to prevent re-work) and ensuring that they solve the business pain.

PNMsoft specializes in human workflow processes, business process management (BPM) and workflow automation solutions for business users.
PNMsoft, part of the Microsoft BPM Alliance, is a recognised leader in business process management and workflow software, providing organisations with the ability to reduce operational costs and maximize corporate performance

For more about PNMsoft & BPM software, contact us or request our white paper