BPM: the exciting bits

BPM, workflows, process design, development… to be honest – are all boring stuff.

So what do I enjoy in my line of work?

The Challenge
Like all of us, I still enjoy a good challenge.
A new customer, organizational chaos, business anarchy

Good morning, Mr. Deane. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, involves the implementation of a business process solution.
You will need to get around the customer’s internal politics, the business analyst’s abstract design and the programme manager’s plan for world domination.
The deadline for completion is yesterday. As always, should any member of your team be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow all knowledge of your actions. This message will self-destruct in five seconds…

BPM – The eighth wonder of the world
Surprisingly, BPM is considered by many customers to be the eighth wonder of the world.
Automating tasks, generating emails, automatic escalations and reminders – amazing!
Workflow designer, Drag n’drop, Dashboards with moving gauges – Ohhhhh!
The excitement, the glitter in their eyes.. it does give you a great feeling.
Starting a new project always gines you the same feeling as NASA planning to land on the Mars…

“A Successful Failure”

Houston, we have a problem…

Even NASA has problems. It’s part of every project.
Although I don’t like being called in to solve silly problems that were caused by mismanagement, I do get excited when asked to find technical solutions to unforeseen problems or technical challenges.
The fear of failure, the intensity, the concentration needed, being under pressure, deadlines – one big adrenalin rush.

Being a Hero
From time-to-time, I get called in to help with a project that is in crisis.
We’ve all been there. A project is running late, over schedule, over budget. The customer starts growling. Team spirit is low, the blame game starts.
You step in. This usually involves working hand in glove with the project manager for few weeks until things are running smoothly again. The team get their fighting spirit back again. The project manager is grateful. The customer has stopped growling.
Pats on the back from everyone. Hero leaves stage…
Nothing beats the feeling of being a hero.

A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer.

Cutting Edge Technology
Techies in BPMS companies, like all technology companies, are always looking for the next thing: Azure, Silverlight, embedding twitter, mobile, communication …
I can’t put my finger on the reason why techies get excited from new technology.
We just do..