Keywords

AI, business processes, innovation, change management, organizational structure, data quality, Stephen Wunker, BPM, technology adoption, consulting

Summary

In this episode of the BPM 360 Podcast, hosts Caspar and Russell engage with Stephen Wunker, managing director of New Markets Advisors, to discuss the transformative impact of AI on business processes and organizational structures. They explore the importance of adapting to change, the role of innovation in large enterprises, and the necessity of critical thinking in the age of AI. Stephen shares insights from his extensive experience in consulting and his latest book, 'AI and the Octopus Organization,' emphasizing the need for organizations to rethink their processes and embrace AI as a tool for achieving business objectives.

Takeaways

AI is a revolutionary tool that requires rethinking business objectives.

Organizations must adapt to change and embrace innovation.

The octopus serves as a metaphor for adaptability in business.

AI can enhance decision-making but requires human engagement.

Data quality is crucial for effective AI implementation.

Change management involves addressing emotional responses to disruption.

Startups and large enterprises face different challenges in innovation.

Experimentation is key to successful AI integration.

Organizations should prioritize a few key business questions for transformation.

Critical thinking is essential in the age of AI.

Sound bites

"AI is better than a human being."

"You cannot tango on your own."

"AI makes mediocre workers decent."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

02:24 The Impact of AI on Business

03:34 Stephen Wunker's Background and Expertise

06:33 Innovation Processes in Large Enterprises

10:13 The Role of Structure in Startups

11:56 AI as an Organizational Enabler

17:39 Rethinking Business Models with AI

21:10 The Importance of Data Quality

23:48 Emotional Aspects of Change Management

30:30 Strategies for AI Integration

33:32 Distributed Intelligence in Organizations

36:29 The Future of AI and Human Collaboration

42:54 Final Thoughts and Dilemmas

Keywords

BPM, process management, AI, trends, 2026, strategic asset, agentic AI, BPM singularity, digital twin, orchestration

Summary

In this episode of the BPM 360 Podcast, hosts Caspar and Russell discuss the revival of process management as a strategic asset, the role of agentic AI in BPM, and the convergence of BPM with other disciplines, leading to what they term 'BPM Singularity'. They explore the trends shaping BPM for 2026, emphasizing the importance of AI in enhancing process management and the need for organizations to adopt a holistic approach to process and data management.

Takeaways

The podcast is entering its fifth season, highlighting its growth and milestones.

There is an ambition to increase the frequency of podcast episodes this season.

The revival of process management is seen as a strategic asset for organizations.

AI is becoming a critical component in enhancing BPM capabilities.

The concept of agentic AI is crucial for the future of BPM.

BPM is gaining traction again due to the emergence of AI technologies.

Organizations need to manage process variance effectively to optimize operations.

The convergence of BPM with enterprise architecture and orchestration is essential for success.

AI is driving the need for a holistic understanding of organizational processes.

The podcast aims to explore the evolving landscape of BPM and AI throughout the season.

Sound bites

"AI is making these repositories accessible."

"The process scope is expanding."

"You cannot just think in your department."

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Season 5

03:39 Trends in BPM for 2026

14:15 AI's Role in BPM

23:30 The BPM Singularity

33:26 Closing Thoughts and Future Episodes

In this episode of the BPM360 Podcast, Caspar and Russell welcome James Davies — CEO of Kinetic Data — for a deep dive into the past, present, and future of enterprise workflow orchestration.

James shares his unlikely origin story: from a teenage helpdesk agent diagnosing dial-up modems to leading a platform used across major government and Fortune-2000 organizations.

The conversation explores why Kinetic Data deliberately avoids rigid BPM standards, how it decouples user experience from systems of record, and why freedom to change is becoming mission-critical as organizations try to escape the gravitational pull of mega-SaaS vendors.

James explains how his team designs human-centric workflows, enables modular front-ends, and reduces dependency risks that lock enterprises into a single platform’s UX, pricing, or AI strategy.

The trio dig into real examples — from US Army data clean-up to COVID laptop distribution at scale — illustrating how orchestration can stay lightweight without becoming another monolithic “monster system.” They also tackle citizen development, governance challenges, and the rise of AI agents inside enterprise processes.

The episode closes with James’ outlook on the future: AI as a decoupled layer across the enterprise stack, easier integration, more low-code capability, and true citizen development grounded in guardrails rather than chaos.

A rich, energetic session packed with honest insights on data, orchestration, AI, and the evolving role of BPM in large enterprises.

We hope you enjoy our BPM Podcast.
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In this episode of the BPM360 Podcast, Caspar and Russell “cover another angle” of process entirely: the human one. While Russell checks in from Frankfurt between company meetups and Business Flows releases, the conversation quickly shifts from process content to a much deeper question: how does it actually feel to work inside an organization?

Their guest, Tommi Jo Brode – attorney, workplace culture expert, and consultant at Venice Solutions Group – brings a people-first lens to what many leaders still treat as “soft stuff.” She explains why most culture problems aren’t about salary or perks, but about respect, fairness, time with family, and whether people feel seen, heard, and included. “Little things” like how you react when someone asks for time off, or who gets invited to lunch, often sit behind big issues like turnover, complaints, and disengagement.

Together they unpack the gap between policy and practice, why people usually leave managers rather than companies, how HR can shift from “the department you fear” to a genuine people partner, and why leadership needs more unfiltered input from the front line. From “undercover boss” moments to practical habits for remote check-ins, Tommie shows that good culture is less about posters on the wall and more about showing up consistently as a human being.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Most culture problems aren’t about money.

Turnover, complaints, and disengagement are usually rooted in respect, workload, fairness, and inclusion – not in base pay alone

2. Policy is what’s written; culture is what actually happens.

A company may “allow” flexible time or easy time-off in policy, but if managers roll their eyes, guilt-trip, or quietly punish people for using it, the real rule is very different.

3. Employees experience the company through their manager.

For most people, “the company” is their direct supervisor. If the manager is supportive and fair, the company feels good. If not, no amount of glossy mission statements will fix it.

4. HR should enable, not intimidate.

HR can be a powerful ally by training managers in real conversations, listening skills, and prevention – instead of only appearing when something has gone wrong.

5. You build trust by showing up, consistently.

Walking the floor, joining a night shift once, or scheduling regular 1:1 check-ins in remote teams sends a clear message: I see you, I’m interested, and how you’re doing matters — and that’s the foundation of sustainable performance and process excellence.

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In the sixth episode of the BPM 360 Podcast, hosts Caspar and Russell delve into the topic of "Procedures" within the broader context of governance in business process management. This episode expands on the discussions from previous episodes about ownership and shifts towards the procedural aspects that ensure effective process management across organizations.

Key Topics Discussed:

Introduction to Procedures:
The conversation starts by defining procedures as crucial elements that keep processes up-to-date and responsive to changes, such as staff turnovers or new legislation.

Process Approval Process:
Russell emphasizes the initial challenge most organizations face with setting up and navigating the process approval procedures, especially as they establish their BPM initiatives.

Operational vs. Management Perspective on Procedures:
There is a distinction made between how operational staff versus management perceive and handle procedures. Operational teams are often more familiar with documenting and following procedures than management teams, who might not have management processes well-documented.

Complexity in Procedure Management:
The dialogue explores the complexity involved in managing procedures, especially when multiple stakeholders and varying levels of process management maturity are involved.

Integration of Procedures Across Departments:
They discuss the need for integrated management systems that can handle multiple aspects of an organization’s procedures but acknowledge the challenges and potential overheads associated with overly complex systems.

Agility vs. Control in Procedures:
A significant part of the discussion is dedicated to finding the balance between maintaining procedural control and ensuring organizational agility, especially in responding to changes.

Real-World Examples of Procedural Challenges:
Using examples from their professional experiences, both hosts discuss real-world challenges and solutions in managing procedures, including the importance of impact analysis and the need for streamlined change management processes.

Observations and Insights:
The episode effectively highlights the critical role that well-defined and efficiently managed procedures play in the governance of business processes. It sheds light on the necessity of having a cohesive approach to process documentation and approval, which are essential for operational success and strategic flexibility in rapidly changing business environments. The discussion underscores the importance of adaptability and continuous improvement in procedure management, which are key to sustaining process efficiency and compliance across various organizational domains.

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In the final episode of the first Podcast Season Caspar and Russell conclude on the BPM Success Framework and give an outlook on the next season:

1. Closing Discussion on BPM Framework: The episode focuses on concluding their discussions about the BPM (Business Process Management) framework, covering its eight components and their relevance to BPM success.
2. Overview of the Eight BPM Components: The hosts review the eight components of the BPM framework: executive sponsorship, stakeholder involvement, governance (ownership and procedures), tools and methodologies, and human affairs (communication and organization).
3. Significance of Executive Sponsorship: The hosts emphasize that executive sponsorship is crucial for BPM success, likening it to the driver of a car; without it, BPM efforts may stall, especially during the uphill struggle of implementation.
4. Importance of Ownership and Organization: Ownership and organization are discussed as critical for translating BPM vision into reality. They bridge the gap between strategic goals and operational execution, making them essential for BPM success.
5. Role of Methodology and Tools: While methodology and tools are seen as foundational, the hosts argue that they are not the most critical success factors. The success of BPM depends more on effective use rather than the specific methodologies or tools chosen.
6. Challenges with Procedures: Procedures are acknowledged as important but not the most critical component. They support BPM efforts but are seen as less impactful compared to factors like ownership and executive sponsorship.
7. Human Factors and Communication: Communication is identified as a key factor in BPM success, serving as the medium through which changes are implemented and sustained. The human aspect of BPM, including how people engage with the process, is highlighted as vital.
8. Stakeholder Involvement: The hosts discuss how stakeholders play a role in pushing BPM forward, especially in the absence of strong executive sponsorship. However, they also note that without proper incentives, stakeholders may lose interest over time.
9. Cultural Integration of BPM: Integrating BPM into the company culture is seen as the ultimate goal for long-term success. When BPM becomes ingrained in the culture, it can survive changes in leadership and other challenges.
10. Future Direction of the Podcast: The episode concludes with an announcement that the podcast will shift towards more dynamic discussions with guest experts and will focus on real-time issues in BPM, moving away from the theoretical groundwork laid in previous episodes.

This episode serves as a reflective summary of their BPM discussions, stressing the importance of leadership, ownership, and communication in the successful implementation of BPM initiatives.

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In the first episode of BPM360's second season, hosts Caspar and Russell welcome Michael Schank, the esteemed author of Digital Transformation Success, to discuss his journey, insights, and the critical elements of effective digital transformation. Here are the 10 key takeaways:

1. Process Inventory as the Foundation: Schank emphasizes the importance of creating a comprehensive process inventory to serve as the backbone of any digital transformation effort, ensuring alignment and reducing chaos.
2. The Role of Business Architecture: Understanding that business capabilities must connect to processes is essential; processes are where the abstract becomes tangible and actionable.
3. Balancing Business and IT: Successful transformation requires a balance between business needs and IT capabilities, highlighting the value of professionals who bridge the gap between these domains.
4. Common Language for Alignment: Establishing a process hierarchy creates a common language across the organization, crucial for aligning risk management, IT, and other business functions.
5. The Importance of Capability Models: While capability models are abstract, they must be tied to actual processes to be effective, allowing for better cross-functional analysis and standardization.
6. Ownership and Governance: Clear ownership and governance structures are vital, with processes needing to be aligned with organizational hierarchy to ensure accountability and accuracy.
7. Dealing with Resistance: Schank addresses the common pushback on the perceived effort of building a process inventory, arguing that the upfront investment is far less costly than the chaos of poorly managed transformations.
8. The Power of Integrated Management Systems: Future BPM efforts should aim to create integrated systems that not only optimize processes but also connect all organizational knowledge into a cohesive digital twin.
9. Digital Twins and AI: Schank introduces the concept of digital twins powered by AI, which can offer real-time insights and predictive capabilities by mapping out all business processes and their interconnections.
10. Practical Tools and Applications: While Schank avoids endorsing specific tools, he emphasizes the need for object-centric BPM platforms that can manage the complexity of modern enterprises, ensuring scalability and integration.

This episode sets the stage for a season focused on deeper, more practical insights into BPM, starting with the invaluable lessons from Michael Schank's experiences and his comprehensive approach to digital transformation.

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Who’s the Mysterious Third Player in the BPM Power Trio?
In this BPM360 short, Caspar and Russell dive into the exciting news of BizDesign and MEGA’s merger, shaking up the enterprise architecture and BPM world. But there's more! A third key player in the business transformation market is set to join the merger, adding even more intrigue. The duo speculates on who this mystery partner could be, from process powerhouses like ARIS to rising stars like Avolution. Join the discussion and share your thoughts on the BPM market's evolving landscape. Is it consolidation time or a race for extended capabilities?

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