Future Directions for Business Process Management

Business process management (BPM) is a critical discipline for organizations of all sizes. It
helps organizations improve efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance by aligning business
processes with organizational goals. In the digital age, BPM is becoming increasingly important
as organizations strive to keep pace with rapid changes in technology and customer expectations.

The four research papers you have provided offer valuable insights into the future of BPM. Here
are some of the key trends that are shaping the future of BPM:

1. BPM and Digital Transformation

The first paper, "Strategy archetypes for digital transformation: Defining meta objectives using
business process management," explores how companies can use BPM to implement digital
transformation. The paper identifies six requirements for successful digital transformation:
digital strategy, agility, digital expertise, IT innovation, collaboration, and openness. The paper
also proposes three strategy archetypes that companies can use to guide their digital
transformation efforts: Process Optimizers, Customer-Centric Innovators, and Operational
Excellence Achievers.

2. BPM Ambidexterity

The second paper, "Is Business Process Management (BPM) Ready for Ambidexterity?
Conceptualization, Implementation Guidelines and Research Agenda," by Tomasz Helbin and
Amy Van Looy, explores the concept of BPM ambidexterity. BPM ambidexterity is the ability of
organizations to balance explorative (innovation-focused) and exploitative (efficiency-focused)
processes. The paper argues that BPM must evolve beyond its traditional focus on process
optimization to embrace innovation and adaptability.

3. Addressing Challenges in BPM

The third paper, "The First International Workshop on BPM Problems to Solve before We Die,"
identifies five key challenges in BPM:

 BPM-driven value creation from data

 Expansive BPM
 Automated process (re-)design
 Constructing digital twins
 Lack of objectivity in process descriptions

The paper also discusses potential solutions to these challenges.

4. Promising Research Avenues and Practical Guidelines

The fourth paper, based on a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), identifies promising research
avenues and practical guidelines for BPM. The paper highlights the importance of emerging
technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain for BPM.
The paper also emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to explorative and exploitative
BPM, as well as the importance of fostering a learning culture within organizations.

Future Directions for BPM

Based on the trends identified in the four research papers, here are some of the future directions
for BPM:

 Focus on digital transformation: BPM will need to play a central role in helping
organizations implement digital transformation initiatives. This will require BPM
professionals to develop a deep understanding of digital technologies and how they can
be used to improve business processes.
 Embrace ambidexterity: BPM will need to evolve to support both explorative
(innovation-focused) and exploitative (efficiency-focused) processes. This will require
new methods and tools for managing and optimizing both types of processes.
 Leverage emerging technologies: BPM will need to take advantage of emerging
technologies such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain.
These technologies can be used to automate tasks, improve process visibility, and enable
real-time decision-making.
 Address challenges in BPM: Researchers and practitioners need to work together to
address the challenges identified in the third paper. These challenges include BPM-driven
value creation from data, expansive BPM, automated process (re-)design, constructing
digital twins, and lack of objectivity in process descriptions.
 Foster a learning culture: Organizations need to foster a learning culture that
encourages BPM professionals to continuously learn and improve their skills. This will
be essential for BPM professionals to keep pace with the rapid changes in the field.

Conclusion
BPM is a critical discipline that is evolving to meet the challenges of the digital age. By focusing
on digital transformation, embracing ambidexterity, leveraging emerging technologies,
addressing key challenges, and fostering a learning culture, BPM can help organizations improve
efficiency, effectiveness, and agility.

Future DirectionDescriptionFocus on digital transformationBPM will play a central role in helping

organizations implement digital transformation initiatives.Embrace ambidexterityBPM will need to
evolve to support both explorative (innovation-focused) and exploitative (efficiency-focused)
processes.Leverage emerging technologiesBPM will need to take advantage of emerging technologies
such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain.Address challenges in
BPMResearchers and practitioners need to work together to address the challenges identified in the
third paper.Foster a learning cultureOrganizations need to foster a learning culture that encourages BPM
professionals to continuously learn and improve their skills.