5 Predictions for Business Process Management in 2017

As 2016 comes to a close, business leaders are thinking about what the new year will bring. Given where we are with business process management in 2016, we have a pretty good idea of where things are going next.
The predictions for business process management in 2017 are:

1.  More organizations will use BPM techniques.
2. Real-time analytics will be in high demand.
3. BPM will transform the customer experience.
4. Measurement is key.
5. Collaboration is key.

We dive into the details below:

1. More organizations will use BPM techniques. This one might seem like a no-brainer, but we have data to back it up. In previous years, BPM technology was used predominately by early adopters. However, as with other technology, it can take several years for smaller businesses or tech-phobic organizations to get on board. In March 2016, BPTrends reported research findings that there would be more organizations new to process work in 2016 than there were in the past.
   We believe this trend will continue in 2017, as an increasing number of businesses take on small- to medium-sized projects in order to establish new processes and increase efficiency. Organizations still cite the need to save money as one of the key drivers for implementing business process change, and business process management software can facilitate the cost savings decision-makers are looking for.
2. Real-time analytics will be in high demand. In the past, BPM has focused on cutting costs and driving efficiency. This means outcomes fall short in situations where BPM improves workflow and performance, but the numbers don’t add up to major cost savings. In 2017, the focus of BPM utilization will shift to streamlining and optimizing business processes using real-time analytics and continuous improvement. Sophisticated BPM tools that provide real-time data will help executives identify process inefficiencies and step in to fix issues before they become larger problems.
3. BPM will transform the customer experience. It seems that every year we get more connected through the “Internet of Things” (IoT). New devices hit the market and become widely available for business use. In 2017, the opportunity for even more increased connectivity can transform the customer experience, particularly for businesses in the service industry. When service providers and project managers use effective BPM practices and systems, they can become better listeners and more engaged with customers. They can also resolve customer requests more quickly.
4. Measurement is key. Companies are tired of flying by line-of-sight; they’re looking for objective data to inform business decisions. A few months ago, an AIIM white paper about business process trends concluded that analytics and reporting are mandatory for 64 percent of respondents. BPM tools that offer accessible analytics and reports that are easy to interpret will give your company a leg up on the competition.
5. Collaboration is key. The rise of mobile technology has increased the number of remote employees. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it can make communication and collaboration a little more difficult. Without the right systems and processes in place, tasks and deadlines can fall off the radar, and it can take longer to approve work and request changes.

Process-driven BPM tools will improve the workflow by giving remote workers the opportunity to create and share together rather than working in a vacuum. In 2017, companies will implement more workflows to drive collaboration and keep employees in contact with one another more often.

We would love to know more about your BPM plans for 2017 and what you think will happen in the BPM space over the next year. Share in the comments below!

Megan Pacella is a contributor for TechnologyAdvice.com, with specializations in B2B marketing and sales. She has also written for USA Today, Bearings Guide, 10Best Nashville, and other publications.