Practical Business Process Modeling and Analysis written by Jim Sinur, Zbigniew Misiak (two old friends) and BJ Biernatowski.
I’ve been working in decision automation a long time. While I’ve never been an expert in business process modeling, I’ve interacted with a lot of business process experts, worked on some projects that combined processes with decisions and even helped write a book (the MicroGuide I wrote with Tom Debevoise).
I recently got my hands on a great new book from Packt. I’ve interacted with Jim and Zbigniew many times over the years going back more than 20 years in Jim’s case and at least 10 in Zbigniew’s.
The new big has 10 chapters:
- Winning at Digital Transformation with Process Modeling
The role of process modeling in successful digital transformations - Pillars of a Successful Digital Transformation
Key elements of the various kinds of digital transformation and how to lead them - The Wheel of BPM Driving Your Competitive Advantage
Using BPM to drive transformations and start the improvement flywheel - Long term Trends and the Impact on Your Job
Why digital change is so central - Business Process 101
The basics - Establishing Process Architecture
The architecture - Process Modeling Notations
Why we ended up with BPMN - BPMN What You need to Know
The core BPMN concepts - Advanced BPMN
More advanced stuff and a little (too little) on DMN - Measuring the Business Value of Process Transformation
How to measure value and calculate returns – business value assessments
There’s a lot of good stuff here. I really liked how the BPMN mechanics are wrapped with a focus on transformation and business value. The authors tie the act of process modeling to some key business concepts in a really useful way. There’s some good thinking about how AI will, and won’t, impact all of this, and plenty of focus on the human and organizational elements that are so important.
The book reads well and easily, with only small differences in style between the authors – each of whom brings a unique focus to their chapters and complement the others nicely. Its target audience – business professionals who need better ways to design and think about their business as they transform it – will find it easy to read and full of great insight.
Highly recommended. Preorder or buy here.
