BPM360 Podcast - Covering every angle!

March 22, 2024

We are happy to announce, that we have setup a new Podcast in collaboration with Caspar Jans:

The Podcast is all about Business Process Management (BPM). We, That's Casper Jans and Russell Gomersall, want to cover every angle of this topic we are so passionate about. In this first episode, we take on a high level view on the key success factors:

Sponsorship
- Sponsor
- Stakeholders
Governance
- Ownership
- Procedures
Center of Excellence
- Methods
- Tools
Human Affaires
- Organization
- Communication

In the following episodes we will be diving deeper into each of the categories.

We hope you enjoyed the first episode of our BPM Podcast.
Stay tuned for more.
Please send us your comments and questions to
questions@bpm360podcast.com

Fast and Furious Migration of Content to Signavio using API & scripting

October 19, 2023

Introduction

In the world of Business Process Management (BPM), efficiently setting up a process repository is often considered a daunting task. Whether an enterprise seeking to optimize operations or a small business aiming for streamlined workflows, the initial setup of your process repository is critical for long-term success. Most companies won’t be starting from zero. They will either be migrating from an existing (or several) BPM tools, or there will be a collection of process related documents, such as training material, IT documentation, test cases etc. The objective of setting up a fresh process repository is to tidy up, standardize and streamline the new process architecture to the specific use case, such as the HANA migration. One of the key technologies that can simplify this journey is an effective API .

Since SAP acquired Signavio at a time when many companies are engaged in their HANA migration, SAP Signavio has become a dominant BPM tool for companies following a process-driven approach as recommended by SAP.

SAP Signavio offers an API that promises to ease the initial setup process while offering a wide range of customization and integration options. This blog will explore the capabilities of SAP Signavio's API, focusing specifically on how it aids in the initial setup of a process repository.

Why APIs are crucial in migrating BPM content

Signavio has two principal functionalities

Import / export of BPMNs
Import / export of dictionary items

These are important, simple, and powerful tools to migrate content. However, the following challenges can result in a lot of manual work:

Mass BPMN import and sorting into a specific folder structure
Linking dictionary items to BPMN activities
Assigning BPMN models to collapsed processes in BPMNs
Cross-referencing multiple dictionary items during upload
Beautifying BPMN models from various sources after import

Typically, during a migration, you will encounter these challenges and here SAP Signavio’s API (and some clever scripting) will help avoiding a lot of error-prone work.

5 step migration approach

Define your process architecture and metamodel
- All elements of your repository meant for consistent re-use across models should be defined as dictionary items, at a minimum, the metamodel should include
  - E2E domains
  - E2E scenarios
  - Process groups
  - Business processes
  - Business roles
  - IT applications
- Optional, but essential for HANA projects, the following dictionary items are recommended:
  - Business rules
  - Key requirements
  - Risk/Chances
  - GAPS/Change impacts
  - SAP Transactions/Fiori Apps
Configure all dictionary items according to your metamodel
- Configure the dictionary items to represent all relations between each other. This is key for reporting and managing the repository. The more meaningful relations are addressed, the more value a repository has.
- Define your folder structure for managing your models according to your architecture
- Define your top-level entry models and hierarchies (process levels)
- Define and configure model types and conventions for each level
Prepare and import your migration content in lists as dictionary items
Prepare and import your (BPMN) models
Run API-scripts to
1. Cross-reference dictionary items
2. Link BPMN activities to dictionary items and assign collapsed processes to related BPMN models
3. Beautify/standardize BPMN format

Examples of API usage
The examples we are presenting are based on our best practice process repository Business Flows. The scripts were written with node.js.

SAP Signavio REST APIs offers the following basic operations:

Traversing the repository tree
Creating, renaming, deleting and moving a folder
Getting a diagram revision as JSON representation (also: get diagram attributes)
Getting a diagram revision as BPMN 2.0 XML / SVG / PNG representation
Creating, renaming, deleting, moving and copying a diagram
Updating a diagram by adding a new revision as JSON representation
Full-text search for keywords in the repository
Approving a diagram revision for publishing in the process portal POST

In order to achieve the above-mentioned operations, only the mass upload of BPMNs and sorting them into target folders is possible without having to manipulate the JSON or the BPMN files.

Case: Linking dictionary items to BPMN diagrams and assigning BPMN models to collapsed proceses

In this case we have a dictionary item representing a process (or an activity) already uploaded. The source BPMN diagram has several activities included, which need to be linked to the dictionary item.

‘Raw’ BPMN model before upload and linked dictionary items

The above figure shows a typical ‘raw’ BPMN model without the Signavio specific link to a dictionary item or an assignment to a sub-process. The link to the dictionary item is vital for managing multiple occurrences of processes within your repository. The assignment to a BPMN (collapsed) process is necessary to establish a clear process architecture over levels and enable a drill-down navigation in the Collaboration Hub.

The following figure shows the expected result in Signavio:

Result of mapping BPMN activities to dictionary items in Signavio

To achieve this in the raw BPMN file, the script would need to parse each BPMN and collect the name of the activities. The exact tag however can vary depending on the source system. In the case of a BPMN exported from ARIS XML the tag is‘<semantic:task name=’, in case of a camunda BPMN the tag is ‘<bpmn:task id="xxx" name="‘.

However, as soon as you have imported the BPMN into Signavio all key information of the BPMN is provided via the REST API in a standardized JSON format. This can easily be manipulated to achieve the above-mentioned goal.

The following diagram shows you the structure provided by the API. You can now add an ID-link to the “glossaryLinks”: {“name”:[]} entry, you link the object to a dictionary item with all its attributes.

By changing the “entry”: of an “activitytype”: “Sub-Process”, you can link the subprocess to the corresponding model.

Of course, before you set the values, you first have to identify and map all dictionary items and process models including their corresponding IDs. In our case this was accomplished based on the “name”: object, process model and dictionary item all have the same name.

The API can also be used to normalize other characteristics of your imported models. For example the diagram below is an example, where we have changed the font size and backgroud color of all “CollapsedSubprocess”.

Summary

If you are setting up a Process Repository in Signavio SAP and have a lot of models to be imported in a complex Process Architecture and you want to make use of the key features of SAP Signavio, such as dictionary items and linked subprocesses, using the API will greatly speed up the process and on the long term help you maintain the quality of your content.

In case you want to learn more or require specific help in setting up your process repository. This is what we do.

We care, We act, We deliver!

Unlocking New Possibilities: bpExperts and Simplifier Join Forces

October 6, 2023

Gülsüm Ucuran

bpExperts is thrilled to announce a collaboration with Simplifier. The Simplifier low-code platform is an ideal fit for bpExperts' portfolio. Going forward, bpExperts will be able to solve the challenges of its customers to an even greater extent and create custom-fit solutions. The partnership focuses on leveraging the existing synergies of both companies to benefit customers by combining the strengths of a low-code approach with a structured enterprise BPM methodology.

Pillars of the partnership:

Increase Efficiency: Combining bpExperts' Business Flows framework, and their process expertise with Simplifier's intuitive low-code platform, the digitalization initiatives can be scaled and integrated into a holistic business transformation approach.

Accelerate Digital Transformation: As digital transformation has become essential, this collaboration provides organizations with the tools and insights needed to accelerate their digital journey and establish long-term business ownership.

Empower Innovation: The partnership fosters innovation by offering customized solutions that adapt to evolving business needs.

Key Benefits for Clients:

Streamlined Processes: Customers benefit through optimized processes, resulting in cost savings and improved productivity.

Scalable Solutions: The collaboration provides scalable solutions to meet the individual needs of each customer.

Expert Guidance: Customers can leverage bpExperts' consulting expertise to align their processes with industry best practices.

About Simplifier

We support companies to digitize business processes efficiently and sustainably: Our low-code platform enables our customers to create business and IoT applications with ease and minimal programming effort. All processes can be used optimally as we seamlessly integrate existing system landscapes, machines and plants.

Beyond offering the best technical solutions, we also provide systematic support to implement a successful low-code strategy. Simplifier draws from years of experience and best practices: This unique combination of low-code technology and expert knowledge is exactly what our customers benefit from.

At Simplifier, we are incredibly honored that a wide range of companies place their trust in us and choose us as a partner for their digital roadmap. Key to this is to maintain a steady dialogue: We can therefore truly understand our customers' needs and develop our platform accordingly.

Our portfolio of customers includes medium-sized, enterprise level and international companies such as SAERTEX, Alnatura, Brückner Maschinenbau, AGRANA, Rolls-Royce Power Systems and REWE.

We aim to expand our already strong market position in Europe by working closely with our shareholders PwC and Possehl. Through our continuously expanding partner network, we want to support companies worldwide. We are passionate about what we do and we welcome you to learn more about Simplifier and join us on our journey to drive digitalization.

About bpExperts

bpExperts is a renowned name in the realm of business management and business transformation, for their business transformation framework business flows, a comprehensive End-to-end oriented process repository and set of methods to efficiently manage SAP HANA initiatives.

Looking Ahead:

As companies continue to navigate an ever-changing landscape, the combined efforts of bpExperts and Simplifier provide them with the tools and support they need to thrive and maximize their potential.

Stay tuned for more updates on how this partnership will empower organizations to reach new heights of success.

Contact Information:

For inquiries and more information about this collaboration, please contact:

Dr. Russell Gomersall, Partner bpExperts, russell.gomersall@bpexperts.de

Florian Rühl, Vorstandsmitglied, digitalisierung@simplifier.io

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Business Flows Release 6 Available Now

February 24, 2023

We have published the 5th release of our Business Flows. With 11 Domains, 170 End-to-End Scenarios and 475 BPMN processes and many other features such as SAP capabilities and scope items Business Flows now has matured to a comprehensive Business Transformation Framework.

Insights - Business Transformation Day 2022 - Schloss Krickenbeck

November 16, 2022

Gülsüm Ucuran

On November 10, 2022, the Business Transformation Day with top Key Note speakers, insightful customer presentations, as well as interesting short presentations by selected partners (SAP SE, Software AG, msg services GmbH) took place in the beautiful premises of Schloss Krickenbeck.

This year, Mr. Russell Gomersall, one of the managing partners of bpExperts, moderated the Business Transformation Day. After a short welcome to the participants, he presented the highlights of the last 10 years of bpExperts annual events. Getting customers to network and talk together has a long tradition at bpExperts. Openly discussing each other’s business transformation journey, which methodologies and tools were applied, and most of all, how the participants have ‘managed change’ within their organization in order to sustain the ‘process driven way’. For many participants also a comfortable feeling, that they are not alone with their day-to-day struggles. Over the years many Use Cases have been the same. But the challenges and pressure that today’s business transformation initiatives are confronted with are higher than ever. The complexity of new operating models, expectations towards digitalization, the complexity of hybrid application landscapes, the growing relevance of compliance, all under time and budget constraints have a great impact on all aspects of the business transformation initiatives. The Key Notes clearly show how over the years the participants have grown to an astonishing maturity with these challenges.

Key Notes

During the morning session, the following practical presentations and insights were contributed by

Mr. Caspar Jans, (Software AG)
“How does an Enterprise Management System help you steer through these challenging times?”
Mrs. Corinna Frank, (PHOENIX CONTACT GmbH & Co. KG),
“ARIS in a hybrid setup. The best of both worlds?”
Mr. Thomas Göbel, (Evonik Superabsorber GmbH)
“Carve-Out readiness based on an End-To-End Process house.”
Mr. Michael Becker, Vaillant GmbH
“Enterprise Process Model Development within a Digital Transformation Program.”

Round Table

After the lunch break we organized a Knights of the Round Table get-together: In Schloss Krickenbeck’s infamous ‘Rittersaal’ (see pictures below), we offered multitude roundtable topics, and facilitated the subsequent discussions around the Key Notes, and additional presentations from our partners Software AG, SAP SE and msg services GmbH.

The Knights of the Round Table covered the following topics :

Markus Wolf, Stefan Hauenschild, bpExperts GmbH
Process Driven Business Transformation: Achieving process readiness, system readiness, data readiness, and people readiness with one methodology.
Dr. Dorothee Wenzler, Dr. Jochen König, bpExperts GmbH
Business Transformation Governance: From change control to transformation enablement.
Dr. Ikemefuna Allen, Dr. Russell Gomersall, Gabriela Warner, bpExperts GmbH
Mind the gap! How Operating Models bridge the gap between processes design and business operations.
Christian Reiter, msg services gmbh
Green-, Brown-, Bluefield? msgFIT helps you to make the right decision!
Caspar Jans, Software AG
ARIS rules, OK! Enterprise Management & Process Mining
Sinje Seidler, SAP SE
SAP Cloud ALM : Shape your future ALM Strategy!

Many thanks therefore to all guest which made this event special by sharing their experience and thoughts and last but not least a special thanks to our great customers and partners.

Hope to meet you soon again!

**Business Transformation Day - Schloss Krickenbeck**

After such a great event and exclusive presentations, there was no shortage of celebrating our 10th anniversary of bpExperts. Here is a small excerpt but do not worry the rest of the photos are well sealed ;)