Challenges and Successes in Business Process Management: A Closer Look at Adaptive Case Management

In our discussion with a senior Gartner BPM analyst, CaseBlocks, described as an Adaptive Case Management (ACM) platform, received a particularly intriguing response. The analyst remarked, 'Wow, I’ve now realized that BPM automates the past while ACM automates the future.' While this statement may be somewhat tongue-in-cheek, it highlights a key issue with standard BPM approaches. Traditional BPM often focuses on 'as-is to be' transformations, providing a limited view of future needs and creating solutions that may fall behind the organization's current requirements.

Why BPM Projects Fail

When we combine this with the inflexibility and high costs associated with historical BPM solutions from vendors like IBM, Pega, and Oracle, the challenges are compounded. If requirements are incorrectly analyzed, it becomes exceedingly difficult to make changes in production. This is not unique to BPM; rather, it is a common challenge affecting various technology implementations. The industry needs tools that can evolve and adapt to changing requirements as quickly as those requirements change.

Adaptive Case Management: A Solution?

Adaptive Case Management (ACM) seeks to address these concerns by allowing end-users to have more control over their processes and providing non-technical users with tools to make necessary changes more easily. This approach is particularly valuable in a cloud environment, where 'initial setup and ongoing change' become significantly simpler, cheaper, and faster compared to traditional methods. These platforms enable greater flexibility and adaptability, crucial in today's rapidly changing business landscape.

Common Reasons for BPM Failures

Despite the potential benefits of ACM, several common pitfalls can still lead to the failure of BPM projects. These include:

Lack of Customer Focus: Many BPM tools are designed without considering the end-users and their needs. This can lead to processes that are not customer-focused and fail to meet the operational demands of the business. Input from Process Owners: Management often does not seek input from the people who will be using the processes. This can result in processes that are not well-aligned with real-world needs. Lack of Buy-In: Without buy-in from process owners, there is often a lack of commitment and support, making it challenging to drive the necessary changes. Insufficient Management Skills: Management may not have the skills to effectively manage the entire process transformation, leading to ineffective implementation and adaptation.

Therefore, it is crucial for organizations to carefully consider these factors when implementing BPM or ACM systems. Moreover, the current generation of legacy BPM tools, which are often inaccessible and only understood by IT departments, can be considered inadequate for many business needs. The industry is ripe for disruption by cloud players that can offer more flexible, user-friendly, and adaptable solutions.

The Future of BPM: Cloud-First Strategies

Many Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are now looking to elevate their departments by adopting cloud-first strategies. These strategies not only offer greater flexibility and cost savings but also align more closely with the needs of end-users. Cloud solutions can provide real-time data, quicker deployment cycles, and easier scalability, ensuring that organizations can respond quickly to changing market conditions.

In conclusion, while BPM has its merits, it is essential to recognize the limitations of traditional approaches and embrace adaptive solutions like ACM. By focusing on user needs, gaining buy-in from stakeholders, and leveraging cloud technology, organizations can better ensure the success of their process management initiatives. As the technology continues to evolve, the focus will likely shift towards more dynamic and responsive systems that can keep pace with the ever-changing demands of business.