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Workflow and BPM applications

Miko Matsumura EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Miko Matsumura

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QUESTION POSED ON: 03 October 2005
What is the difference between workflow applications and Business Process Management (BPM) applications? To me, BPM just looks like workflow services with a 'managerial decision-making capabilities' plug-in. Am I right in assuming so?


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There is some grey area between workflow and BPM. Workflow is a somewhat more technical description (orchestration is a very technical term that tends to be used in this context also). BPM is more of a category focused on Business Processes. Thus you could even say that Workflow is one way to implement Business Processes, and that BPM is about the management of workflow. So you are right in suggesting that BPM is like workflow with a manager interface -- it is literally the management of business processes, which can be in some cases manifested as workflow.



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