My take is that the most successful BPM initiatives taking place over the next few years will remove the bloat of the typical BPM project.

In light of disclosure, I work for Serena Software and we offer a Lean BPM solution–so I may be a tad biased

Our customers rely our our technology to design and deploy process-based applications at a fraction of the cost of traditional BPM systems. I see a lot of organizations adopt solutions for Lean BPM either in lieu of traditional BPMSs, or as a means of augmenting existing BPMS investments.

Besides seeing our customers trim the fat of BPM initiatives, Forrester, ebizQ, etc.have been talking about this lean and pragmatic approach to BPM as well. Have you seen a similar movement as part of the BPM trends and markets you’ve been following?

Thanks,
Tim

The Gartner press release also seems to state the same point you made that the economic situation is giving BPM a boost.

I think you make a very interesting point about when a ‘slowdown’ in BPM is likely. In other words – and correct me if my interpretation is off mark – spend on BPM (first time buy) is likely to be a curve that works opposite to conventional IT spend. An organization would feel compelled to unlock hidden costs, efficiency, etc., when the going is tough – and they look at BPM. Those compulsions would wane and the curve will go down as the market eases and tight fists loosen around budgets – while at the same time conventional IT spend curve goes up.

It’s not clear to me what size these organizations are that Gartner talks about. But I think there will be two kinds of organizations – one that looks at BPM for savings related benefits – no further. And the other for all the other benefits (process control, visibility, agility and continuous improvement).

I think the real market for the real BPM is the second kind. I think this is the market you were referring to when you said BPM penetration is not up to the potential. Couldn’t agree more with you.

I’ve certainly seen companies cancel or postpone all kinds of capital expenditures (capex), and in some cases, they’ve punted on their purchases of licensed BPMS software.

However, for those who have already purchased software, we’re seeing accelerated plans to deploy processes on their BPMS. And anecdotally, it looks to me like companies are starting to free up that capex to invest in BPMS software. I think the economic situation is giving BPM a boost, but BPM still has small penetration in the market relative to its potential, and I expect the interest in BPM to intensify as the economy improves, as the followers try to catch up to the early adopters and leaders in their space(s). I wouldn’t worry about a “slowdown” in BPM until after the economy has been improving for about 2 years…