Process Modeling for the Masses
Ismael has some comments on the recent announcement of web-based Business Process Modeling tools. He’s pretty down on the concept, wondering why folks would prefer applications like Lombardi Blueprint to a full suite like IDS Scheer ARIS or a completely flexible tool like Visio.
I think there is a huge need for Blueprint-like services. In my work consulting with nonprofits around their business processes, I’ve come to realize that most of them have never systematically analyzed how they work. They’ve never taken the time to lay out their work processes, who’s doing them, and what problems there might be along the way. These groups are very busy, generally have no technical staff, and pay sub-standard salaries. It’s very understandable that they haven’t taken a systematic look at their work.
But, they are often very high functioning, and once they are exposed to process modeling they “get it”. A number of folks I’ve shown my process models to have taken on the mantle of process mapper for their org, and are spreading the religion. It’s been really fun to watch.
Tools like Blueprint will make process modeling more accessible to small businesses, like nonprofits. We’ll never need a process modeling suite–what we’re doing is not that complex. Viso works, but there are no process modeling best practices built into Visio, other than the concept of functional swim lanes.
Blueprint-like services have lots of best practices built in. The concepts of business owners, participants, problems, and sub-processes are all hard-coded into the service. This level of structure is the right level for the millions of folks out there who should be thinking about their work in a systematic way, but have no idea what BPM, ESB, and BPEL mean.
So hurray for business process modeling “lite” and vendors like Lombardi who are removing hurdles from broader uptake. Systematic analysis can be decoupled from programmatic expression of business processes, and in the small business world, it should be.
